Belfast Exposed

Belfast Exposed is a Northern Ireland-based photography organisation that showcases the work of local and international photographers, including Don McCullin, Martin Parr, and Gilles Peress. Founded in 1983 by Sylvia Gracey, Mike Abrahams, and John Irvine, it aims to promote photography as a medium for social commentary and documentary photography, inspired by the likes of Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange. Belfast Exposed has worked with various photographers, such as Seamus Murphy, Paul Seawright, and Jill Quigley, to exhibit their work and provide a platform for emerging artists, including those from Queen's University Belfast and the University of Ulster.

● History

Belfast Exposed was established during a time of great social and political upheaval in Northern Ireland, with the Troubles having a profound impact on the region. The organisation's early work was influenced by the photography of Bill Brandt, Bert Hardy, and Roger Mayne, who documented the lives of people in post-war Britain. Belfast Exposed's founders were inspired by the photography exhibitions at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, which featured the work of Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, and Richard Avedon. The organisation has also been influenced by the photography of Josef Koudelka, Susan Meiselas, and Alex Webb, who have all exhibited their work at Belfast Exposed.

● Organisation

Belfast Exposed is a charity and a company limited by guarantee, registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and the Companies House. The organisation is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from the arts sector, such as the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the British Council. Belfast Exposed has partnerships with various organisations, including the Photographers' Gallery in London, the National Media Museum in Bradford, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin. The organisation has also worked with photographers from Magnum Photos, such as Martin Parr and Alessandra Sanguinetti, to deliver workshops and masterclasses.

● Exhibitions

Belfast Exposed has hosted numerous photography exhibitions, featuring the work of local and international photographers, including Steve McCurry, Lynsey Addario, and Tim Hetherington. The organisation has also exhibited the work of emerging artists, such as Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin, who have gone on to exhibit their work at the Tate Modern and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Belfast Exposed has also partnered with other organisations, such as the Format Festival in Derby and the Photomonth in Krakow, to showcase the work of photographers from around the world, including Rinko Kawauchi, Todd Hido, and Lise Sarfati. The organisation has also exhibited the work of photographers who have documented the Troubles, such as Francesco Giusti and Clare Gallagher.

● Collections

Belfast Exposed has a significant photography collection, featuring the work of local and international photographers, including Paul Graham, Helen Levitt, and William Eggleston. The organisation's collection includes photographs that document the social history of Northern Ireland, including the Troubles and the peace process. Belfast Exposed has also acquired the work of photographers who have documented the lives of people in post-war Britain, such as Tony Ray-Jones and Chris Killip. The organisation's collection is an important resource for researchers and students, including those from Queen's University Belfast and the University of Ulster, who are studying photography and social history.

● Education and Community

Belfast Exposed offers a range of education and community programmes, including workshops, masterclasses, and outreach projects. The organisation works with schools and community groups to deliver photography projects, such as the Creative Schools programme, which is funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Belfast Exposed has also partnered with other organisations, such as the Photography Network and the Northern Ireland Photographic Association, to deliver training and development opportunities for photographers. The organisation has also worked with photographers from Magnum Photos, such as Alec Soth and Jim Goldberg, to deliver masterclasses and workshops on documentary photography and photojournalism. Category:Photography organisations