The Field

The Field is a photographic work, a contemporary reflection on the troubled history of dispossession that has shaped Irish people’s relationship with land, ownership and belonging. Reflected in a broken mirror is a contested piece of land. It is The Field, the west of Ireland location, featured in the 1990 film by Jim Sheridan, and based on the John B. Keane play of the same name. The photograph was taken in 2009, at a time of economic crisis, fuelled by rabid housing and property speculation, domestically and internationally, a period whose effects continue to have profound impacts on Irish life, and whose lessons have passed unheard. History, it seems, is set to repeat itself. The image is intended to evoke recurrent cultural motifs and representations. Romantic representations of the west of Ireland in the paintings of Paul Henry, the saturated colour photographs of John Hinde, both of which featured in 20th century tourist advertisements. Those idyllic images obscure other realities. Special credit and thanks to artist Eve Vaughan who accompanied me on that journey into the west.