Prepossession

Focusing on photo- and video-based work, Prepossession brings together prominent artists from Northern Ireland, South Africa and Australia, whose work intersects with key debates on the representation of trauma and the effects of political violence, racism and colonisation. Although each of the works included reflects distinct social and political conditions, the exhibition seeks to find resonance between them, opening up a triangular dialogue which will unfold quite differently in Sydney and Belfast, where it to tours to in June 2005.

Australian audiences, familiar with local work produced in the context of Reconciliation politics, will no doubt find points of connection and contrast in the South African work. They will also see for the first time in Sydney work by Frances Hegarty; Willie Doherty's new video makes its Australian debut in Prepossession and will subsequently be shown at this year's Venice Biennale.

While these works address a unique social context, they nevertheless evoke emotional and affective experiences that translate across national boundaries to create interesting conjunctions. Major works by Destiny Deacon, Tracey Moffatt, Darren Siwes, William Kentridge and Jo Ractliffe will be shown for the first time in Northern Ireland in the context of this exhibition, hosted by the Golden Thread Gallery, Belfast.

The catalogue is fully illustrated and features curatorial essays, an interview with the Northern Ireland artists and a text by world renowned photographic critic, Abigail Solomon-Godeau.

For further information, please contact the Ivan Dougherty Gallery.