'Flegs'

'Flegs' was selected as part of the 'A Sense of Place' exhibition.'

There is something ethereal and beautiful about the shadows cast by moving flags, in contrast to the concrete messages they send, and the connotations they inevitably have in a Northern Irish context. 'Flegs' – the Belfast vernacular for ‘flags’ – which aims to challenge the cultural practice of overtly marking the assumed allegiance of Belfast streets and neighbourhoods with visibly partisan and paramilitary flags by creating a counter-aesthetic. Photographing them as shadows forces us to see them as something else, by erasing and neutralising their symbolic and sectarian power. Their message becomes illusory – as illusory as the sunshine required to make these images in a land famed for its grey and rainy skies – as they become indistinguishable from flags raised on any pole anywhere in the world.

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As part of Belfast Exposed’s 40th-anniversary celebrations, we proudly present an exhibition that explores the multifaceted concept of “place” in contemporary photographic practice.

The artistic work presented throughout Gallery I explores and challenges the complex relationship between people and their environments, illustrating how places can shape and be shaped by the experiences of those who inhabit them. The concept of “place” tends to manifest in various forms, from specific geographic locations such as cities and landscapes to more abstract notions of belonging, like home and community. Through three distinct sections—”HOME,” “TRACES,” and “IDENTITY”—this exhibition invites viewers to explore these different dimensions, offering unique perspectives on how our surroundings impact our identities and perceptions.

The exhibition’s final section, “IDENTITY”, is a thought-provoking exploration of how place shapes personal and collective identities, focusing on religion and politics within Northern Ireland.

“A Sense of Place” invites visitors to reflect on how places shape and are shaped by the experiences, memories, and identities of those who inhabit them. By weaving the intimate with the collective, the seen with the unseen, and the familiar with the contested, this exhibition highlights how our surroundings influence who we are and how we perceive the spaces we inhabit. As Belfast Exposed celebrates its 40th anniversary, this exhibition not only pays tribute to the gallery’s legacy but also showcases the thriving contemporary photographic community in Northern Ireland. We hope that this exploration of place resonates with your experiences and encourages more profound reflection on the places that hold significance in your life.

THE ARTISTS
Clare Gallagher
David Copeland
Eoghan McTigue
Eslam Abd El Salam
Frédéric Huska
Jill Quigley
Paul Seawright
Philip Arneill