Local

A bittersweet celebration of a community, and a soulful exploration of our universal need to belong. LOCAL adds a vital and previously neglected point of view to the canon of Irish photography.

Smyth is one of Ireland’s leading socially engaged photographers. He has lived and worked in the area for over 30 years. In that time a he has developed a uniquely intimate account of the place and its people. Aware of the complexities of his dual role of observer and participant, Smyth’s close, personal engagement with his subjects is visible throughout. The exhibition also reflects his political concerns and experiences as a community arts worker and social activist. Smyth’s unsentimental representation of Tallaght and its people makes visible the social and physical transformation the area has undergone from a socially deprived outlying suburb to an urban centre with a strong sense of community.