Art / Martin Parr Foundation
‘Abandoned’: new exhibition at Martin Parr Foundation
Showing until December 22, Abandoned is a new exhibition at Martin Parr Foundation that brings together work from two photographers depicting uninhabited homes, as well as the objects left behind.
Now living in Madrid, London-born, self-taught photographer Adrian Tyler has exhibited internationally, and much of his archive is now held at MPF. His collection Dust to Dust is concerned with the transience of time, and the distraction of materialism.
Award-winning Irish photographer Jill Quigley grew up in County Donegal, and went on to study at Trinity College Dublin, as well as Ulster University, although she is now based in Belfast. She will be showing Cottages at Quigley’s Point, a group of images taken near her childhood home.
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Isle of South Uist, 2004. From Dust to Dust – photo: © Adrian Tyler
Isle of Lewis, 2005. From Dust to Dust – photo: © Adrian Tyler
Isle of Berneray, 2004. From Dust to Dust – photo: © Adrian Tyler
Tyler pictures derelict houses in the Scottish islands, specifically the Outer Hebrides and Orkney. These lands have been subject to depopulation, and as a result, they are scattered with an unusually high number of abandoned properties.
From crumbling staircases to weathered bibles, he captures the places, beliefs and a way of life that once offered shelter, now subject to the ruinous weathering of time, and the unstoppable force of progression.
In fellow photographer Aaron Schuman’s words: “The details and detritus within these pictures – the stranded furnishings, clothing, cooking implements, peeling wallpapers, decorative artworks and piles of literature – hint at the richness of experience that these walls once sheltered, and at the same time reveal the fragility of such an existence when left exposed to the elements, the economy and the passage of time”.
Weather damaged Bible, hymnbook, Berneray, 2010. From Dust to Dust – photo: © Adrian Tyler
Margaret-Anns 02. From Cottages of Quigleys Point – photo: © Jill Quigley
Jill Quigley’s project showcases dilapidated buildings in Donegal, updated by her own, playful, creative interventions.
The addition of colourful paintings, installations, performance and movement helps to situate herself in the present place and time, within locations brimming with nostalgia.
For Martin Parr, the choice to display work from Quigley and Tyler together for the first time affords a fascinating dialogue between their respective aesthetics. “Although they have very different modes of working,” he reflects, “we think the contrast between them is enlightening and a perfect chance to highlight some of the work in the Martin Parr Foundation collection too.”
Lougherys 01. From Cottages of Quigleys Point – photo: © Jill Quigley
From Cottages of Quigleys Point – photo: © Jill Quigley
Kirklands 03. From Cottages of Quigleys Point – photo: © Jill Quigley
Abandoned by Adrian Tyler and Jill Quigley is at Martin Parr Foundation until December 22 (gallery opening times are Thursday to Sunday, 10.30am-5.30pm; closed Monday to Wednesday. Entry to the exhibiton is free. For more information, visit www.martinparrfoundation.org.
Main photo: Jill Quigley (McIlhinnys 02. From Cottages of Quigleys Point)
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