Excellent Exhibitions
by David Looby

Wednesday April 21st 2004

TWO EXCELLENT photography exhibition recently opened in Wexford Arts Centre, using black and white imagery to evoke distinct impressions from Ireland, and in the case of Pádraig Grant, the entire world. Sometimes dream-like, sometimes majestic, Mr Grant's exhibition "Moving" shows images of people and nature in an intimate manner, emphasising shadow and light. "I chose the title "Moving" for a few different reasons. First, I travel to search for pictures. Second, the images have to emotionally engage me before I make them or exhibit them. They must be personal to me. Thirdly, nothing is ever quite as it seems in a photograph; even a fraction of a second defines a transition," he explained.

This modus operandi particularly applied to Mr Grant's most energetic work, as when he captured a butterfly in mid-flight in a garden in Cambodia, red ants in the full flight of activity in Laos, or a group of young Apsara dancers. Acting as a pictorial record of his travels, sometimes playful, sometimes spiritual, as a collection they are rich with diversity and energy.

Mr Grant currently resides in New Zealand where he has gained citizenship. He is a full- time photographer who works from a web site, www.padraiggrant.com, which has some shocking photos from his time in Rwanda ten years ago, at the height of the genocide.

Mr Grant's sister Deirdre said: "As I look back at the last 15 years of Padraig's life, I'm not surprised it's called 'Moving'. From Rwanda to Wexford Quay, from his wheelchair work and his work from the Eastern Block; and from Cambodia and Laos to the Wexford Opera Festival which was recently published in a book, he has covered it all. Most artists release something every two years, especially authors. Some release their work after one year, but Pádraig seems to be constantly releasing his work."

Describing Padraig's photography as "a joyous harmony of life, rhythm and subject matter" and his philosophy as an ability to handle transition by lacking a plan she said, the secret to the brilliance of his photographs seems to be his ability to get his subjects to trust him. This sense of serenity and quietness is apparent in all of his photographs. Their dance-like rhythm and vitality make them well worth a look. Prices range from €260 to €460.

The other exhibit.......
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