Portraits of Belonging: Faces of Northern Ireland

Portraits of Belonging: Faces of Northern Ireland

Larne Museum & Arts Centre

Friday 8 to Friday 29 November 2024

This photography project, titled "Portraits of Belonging: Faces of Northern Ireland", brings together three immigrant photographers - Lucas Ludziejewski, Lucas Malec, and Natalia Grela - who have built lives in Northern Ireland and share a passion for capturing the human stories that define this region.

Together, the three photographers share a common goal: to show the humanity in everyone they meet, regardless of background, age, or circumstance.

They roam the streets of Northern Ireland’s cities and towns, but they also seek out people in quieter, more private spaces - gardens, homes, and workplaces - creating a rich mix of portraits that reflect the multifaceted lives of Northern Ireland’s residents.

Their subjects include everyone from lifelong locals to recent immigrants, from the young to the elderly, each with their own story.

While their work celebrates the diversity of the people they photograph, the project is also deeply personal for the photographers themselves.

Living in Northern Ireland, all three have faced the challenges of adapting to a new environment, including the impact of the region’s often gloomy weather.

Photography serves as a vital outlet for them, a way to combat the depression that can come with long, grey winters.

For Ludziejewski, Malec, and Grela, the act of capturing light and human connection through their lenses is more than just art - it’s a way of finding joy, purpose, and belonging.

"Portraits of Belonging" is a visual exploration of the human condition in Northern Ireland, seen through the eyes of three individuals who have embraced photography as a way of life.

It’s about resilience, diversity, and the small, meaningful moments that make us feel connected - to each other and to the places we call home.

Through their portraits, Ludziejewski, Malec, and Grela invite viewers to see the beauty and complexity in the people around them, offering a glimpse into the souls of Northern Ireland’s inhabitants, one portrait at a time.

The exhibition will be on display from Friday 8 until Friday 29 November 2024 and includes Saturday opening on 9 November.