‘A Sense of Place’ in Nenagh

‘A sense of Place’, the new photography exhibition from Nenagh Street Collective, was formally launched at Nenagh Arts Centre last Thursday evening.

The event involved an in-person exhibition launch, networking and viewing of images, followed by an introductory talk by the collective's Kevin Lim and a speech by special guest James Crombie, three-time PPAI Irish Press Photographer of the Year.

‘A Sense of Place’ was curated by the Nenagh Street Collective, a group of mainly local photographers and other visual artists who have come together to share their interest and learn from each other. The exhibition features a total of 23 photographs that explore the theme, a sense of place.

The collective delved into the profound connection between place and self, producing evocative photography that transforms familiar spaces into vessels of memory and emotion. Each photograph acts as a doorway into the emotional life of places that often echo with comfort, nostalgia, and belonging that make spaces more than just locations. These are the places where stories unfold, where histories are made, and where identities are shaped.

Photographers Ian Hassett, Charlotte Strachan and Kevin Lim guided the collective through the process of connecting self-identities with visual imagery, demonstrating what a sense of place at the individual level truly means.

‘A BRILLIANT CONCEPT’

James Crombie, author of ‘Murmurations’ and the globally-renowned starling image, praised Nenagh Street Collective. He described it as “an amazing group of people, likeminded, artistic and evidently learning from each other, and it’s a brilliant concept”.

“Photography has the power in one moment to encapsulate someone and leave them as a legacy,” James said. “There’s a great responsibility to capture for the present and the future; you’re capturing moments that will live forever.”

Run by Ian Hassett and Charlotte Strachan, Nenagh Street Collective is a community of creatives, each carrying unique perspectives. Through photography, they channel their experiences into intentional and meaningful art, capturing the essence of life and human connection.

“Our intention is to enrich North Tipperary’s cultural landscape while fostering emotional and social well-being. We consider photography personally and collectively, as dialogue, exploration and expression. We believe in the power of shared vision and social engagement by exhibiting our art.”

The group meets at Nenagh Arts Centre on the first Tuesday of every month at 6.30pm. To join, just turn up. Whether you carry a camera or a phone, what truly matters is your perspective and your passion.

The exhibition at Nenagh Arts Centre will remain on display until the end of April.