1.06.2011

KENNETH O'HALLORAN: Fair Trade

Twins: Puck Fair, Co Kerry
Photograph (c) Kenneth O'Halloran /All Rights Reserved

Ballinasloe Fair
Photograph (c) Kenneth O'Halloran /All Rights Reserved

Cahirmee Fair
Photograph (c) Kenneth O'Halloran /All Rights Reserved

Ballinasloe Fair
Photograph (c) Kenneth O'Halloran /All Rights Reserved

Smithfield Fair
Photograph (c) Kenneth O'Halloran /All Rights Reserved

Smithfield Fair
Photograph (c) Kenneth O'Halloran /All Rights Reserved

"Fairs are more than places of trade in Ireland. Women regard them as occasions worth dressing up for...a femininity to counter weigh the spit-in-the-hand dealings of the men folk. Many of these are traveling people, part of an ancient tribe of Gaelic nomads who have never remained in one spot for very long despite numerous integration attempts by settled society. ...there's business to be done. On days like these horses and ponies are their stocks and shares; the towns and squares of Ireland morph into their trading floors...these old meeting grounds are flourishing arenas of openness and transparency."

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My father with his granddaughter Caoimhe, Corofin
from the series Life After Death
Photograph (c) Kenneth O'Halloran /All Rights Reserved

Aoife and Daniel Communion, Mother Teresa and myself, Corofin
from the series Life After Death
Photograph (c) Kenneth O'Halloran /All Rights Reserved

My father asleep, Corofin from the series Life After Death
Photograph (c) Kenneth O'Halloran /All Rights Reserved


LIFE AFTER DEATH

"My father, who is 80, having spent half his life working, recently retired, closing his drapery store. His undertaker's business continues. For me and others in the family it meant that death was never far away or overtly mysterious. We became accustomed to the dead of our parish being prepared for the final ceremonies before burial."

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Kenneth O Halloran was born in the West of Ireland, and is a graduate of the Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Dun Laoghaire. Based in Dublin, he is currently working on a number of long term projects, which include a personal portrayal of his family shot over 5 years.

His project 'Tales from the Promised Land' has been shortlisted for the Terry O'Neill Award 2010 and his portrait, Twins: Puck Fair, is being shown
until Feb 20 in The National Portrait Gallery in London, as part of the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize 2010.


9 comments:

R Montalban said...

These are fantastic, love the one of the family in the back of the car, the girl with the leopard blouse and the father with his feet in the fire particularly, amazing.

Sidewalk Universe said...

Happy New Year to you Elizabeth! I do not comment here as I am not much of a picture taker but I enjoy visiting your blog often. You have one of the best blogs and this posting is wonderful indeed!

Richard (Sidewalk Universe)

Susan said...

I love the first portraits in particular - such character... and attitude! With thanks for all your wonderful posts over the past year - and wishing you a curiously creative 2011, Susan x

Pepe Broch said...

Gracias por descubrirnos a autores de tan gran categoria. He quedado gratamente sorprendido con el que nos presentas aquí. Lo desconocía.
Un saludo.

Joey Cleary said...

Classic Kenneth O'Halloran pix. I highly recommend a visit to his website...

Caio Fern said...

oh my , impossible to decide each one is more touching.
but i am so hypnosed by the first series . Fantastic. So well done in every detail.

L.Holm said...

These are absolutely incredible. Thank you for this post.

Maery Rose said...

These photos capture so much personality and attitude.

JL Cancio said...

Awensome, incredible, great.
Thnks!