GALLERY - Gallery

Award-winning Irish artist Claire Weir will be exhibiting photographs at Kidogo depicting the struggling financial climate in Ireland as a result of the recession. Eerie and thought provoking, the images present ordinary construction scenes in a new light, titled to reveal the struggle the construction industry faces in 2010. This progressing body of work has seen Claire shortlisted for numerous awards, including the Fujifilm Student of the Year, the 3G Student Photographer 2007 and, more recently, a nomination for the Nikon Academy's Photographic Student of the Year.

Over the past four years, Claire has documented the construction industry's role in the constantly evolving landscape of the Irish Midlands and how it has been influenced by the booming growth - and more recent emaciation - of Ireland's economy during the past decade.


‘What they didn’t tell you’


Not since the depression of the 80’s has the global economy been in such turmoil with financial grief and job losses.

When financial markets picked up in the late eighties and early nineties, Ireland became one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Dubbed the ‘Celtic Tiger’, the following decade launched Ireland as the second most expensive country in Europe.

A huge surge in the construction industry made up for most of the monies that were attributed to this wealth, with investment in infrastructure and property regeneration in cities and towns at the forefront. An estimated 550,000 houses have been built in Ireland since the year 2000, a huge figure considering the population averages around four million and an indication of the demand generated.

When this body of work was started in 2008 the unemployment percentage in Ireland was at 8%. Now in 2010, the level of unemployment has risen to 14%. That figure is likely to keep rising as graduates fall out of college with little hope of achieving gainful employment in their chosen area of study. It is worth noting that many of the people involved in the construction industry have moved overseas to gain employment.

Claire’s work explores the visual experience of the Irish landscape to date. It is a landscape that has been dramatically changing due the growth and demise of the economical structure of Ireland over the past decade. The series depicts evidence of the failed construction industry in Ireland which has evolved through material greed. Subjecting the gaze upon the landscape to be alien, the quotes included with each image reflect the idealized materialistic approach of how progression within the construction industry has lead to a disarmed economy built upon the desire of a manicured lifestyle.

Claire Weir

Having completed a BA in Photographic Practice at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology in 2009, Claire has returned to Australia to document the many young Irish immigrants there who are fleeing from the failed construction sector, exploring Ireland's changing identity in the current socioeconomic environment.

Commercially, Claire is involved in film and television, applying her photographic skills in various capacities. She is also an accomplished music photographer, contributing regularly to State Magazine and working at Irish and European music festivals. Enjoying the creative challenges posed in the domain of live photography., she also works independently with musicians and PR companies to develop identities and design album artwork.

All Media enquiries should be directed to Kidogo Art House, or Claire Weir at info@claireweir.com.