The Art of Witness
A creative exploration of language, identity and culture on the island of Ireland
May 14, 2021. 7.30 pm
Across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Europe and beyond citizens of all backgrounds and cultures are finding ways to come together to create spaces where culture works to strengthen social ties. Smashing Times are delighted to bring together a panel of artists, creatives and communities from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to share artworks and generate dialogue on how the arts can be used to explore themes of language, identity and culture in relation to equality and rights and to imagine alternative ways of living and engaging with others in understanding, trust and peace on the island of Ireland and beyond. Artists include award-winning writer Féilim James whose work in both Irish and English has won several awards and Noelle McAlinden, from Northern Ireland who is a visual artist, creative advisor, mental health campaigner, curator and cultural broker. Our event features discussion intercut with poetry readings by Féilim James and visual art offerings by Noelle McAlinden.
Presented in partnership by Mother Tongues Festival and Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality as part of Creative Connections and State of the Art. Supported by The Arts Council and the Department of Foreign affairs and Trade Reconciliation Fund.
Speakers
Féilim James, Writer
Féilim James is a writer from Dublin, Ireland. In 2020, the Arts of Council of Ireland awarded Féilim a Literature Bursary Award to finish his debut novel, Flower of Ash, as well as a Professional Development Award. He also received an Arts Bursary from Dublin City Arts Office in 2021 to finish his first poetry collection, I was a river, lost. His short fiction and poetry have appeared in numerous journals, including The Fiction Pool, The Galway Review, and Icarus. His work through Irish, under Féilim Ó Brádaigh, has won seven Oireachtas na Gaeilge literary awards. Visit his website here.
Noelle McAlinden, Visual Artist, Creative Advisor and Mental Health Campaigner, Curator and Cultural Broker
Noelle Mc Alinden is a practicing artist exhibiting locally, regionally and Internationally with work in public and private collections across the UK, Europe, US and Canada. Noelle is a Creative Adviser, Curator, Arts Educationalist, a former Head of Art and Design in a Post-Primary school and Senior Lecturer for Arts at Fermanagh College of Further Education. Noelle teaches across a range of sectors including primary, post primary, university and prison sectors. She is an international Artist in Residence in University of Transylvania, Lexington Kentucky as part of The Governors School of Art. As an Arts Activist for almost 39 years Noelle has worked across statutory, voluntary, youth and community sectors. Noelle is passionate about all artforms promoting visual and performing arts , moving image, film and digital literacy. Noelle is also passionate about the power of the arts to transform communities, support cultural tourism, economic regeneration, health and wellbeing and support for peace and Reconciliation.
Check out the Full Programme!
Join us, as we celebrate Ireland’s rich artistic and linguistic diversity with plenty of thrilling events and workshops from dumpling making to clowning practices for all ages.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
