Artwork from Portraits Past and Present programme goes on display

The Portraits Past and Present programme came to an end recently with participants submitting their own work inspired by what they had learned. 

Drawing inspiration from the Troubles Art Exhibition, the programme explored art as a method of storytelling and responding to history, providing participants with the skills and encouragement to create a portrait of their own.

Kim Mawhinney, Senior Curator of Art at National Museums NI, provided an overview of the organisation’s work in collecting and displaying work related to the Troubles in Northern Ireland, highlighting key artistic responses.

Internationally acclaimed artist Colin Davidson led a moving lecture from his studio, discussing his practice and his body of work Silent Testimony, which features large scale portraits of people who experienced loss through the Troubles.

Having reflected on the past, participants were invited to create a portrait that reflected their own experiences, and which looked forward positively to the future.

Award winning illustrator Peter Strain led two creative, skills-based workshops, giving participants the tools and knowledge they needed to create their own works of art.

The publication below features stories from some of the participants and the stories and reasons behind their subject.