This Irish Exhibition Platforms Palestinian Solidarity “In The Belly of The Beast”

Dlúpháirtíocht: Irish Solidarity with Palestine is set to be the largest ever exhibition of contemporary Irish artists internationally, according to its curators, Seán Ó Murchú and Daragh (@daraghexists). The exhibition, which displays the work of Irish, Palestinian, and other international artists, photographers, and filmmakers, aims to highlight their opposition to the apartheid state and the suffering endured by Gaza and the West Bank. Dlúpháirtíocht will include events celebrating Irish and Palestinian culture, with all profits donated to Dignity for Palestinians, a charity supporting medical efforts in central Gaza. The exhibition will take place in London’s P21 Gallery and run for ten days from July 4th to July 14th.

Dlúpháirtíocht, which began as a poem expressing horror at the Israeli onslaught on Gaza, has evolved into a collaborative project representing the longstanding solidarity between Ireland and Palestine. “We’re delighted that what started off as a humble idea to raise some much-needed funds for Palestinians has snowballed organically into what is now the largest ever international exhibition of contemporary Irish artists,” Ó Murchú tells District. In terms of choosing which artists to collaborate with in the exhibition, both curators stressed that they chose artists who had been particularly vocal on Palestine, “be that through long-term activism spanning decades or artists who have been vocal in recent months,” said Daragh.

“London is where the money is, and we’re excited about taking that money from the British economy, and sending it to Dr. Abukhalil in Gaza, where it’s much better spent in our opinion.”

Seán Ó Murchú

The choice to hold the exhibition in London, rather than somewhere in Ireland, at first seemed like an interesting choice. For Seán Óg, the answer to ‘why’ was simple. Aside from being a place to get as many eyes on the exhibition as possible, and the huge appetite for visual art in the city, “London is where the money is, and we’re excited about taking that money from the British economy, and sending it to Dr. Abukhalil in Gaza, where it’s much better spent in our opinion.”

We spoke to a few of the artists participating:

Miriam O Connor

“It makes our act of protest and solidarity meaningful, something that was denied to us at Haus am Kleistpark.”

Miriam O Connor

Last month, 11 artists initially set to be involved in an exhibition in Berlin titled Changing States: Ireland in the 21st Century, withdrew in solidarity with Palestine and Strike Germany. This was because Germany is one of Israel’s closest allies, and pro Palestinian voices have been violently suppressed in the country. All 11 artists who withdrew, were invited to feature their work in Dlúpháirtíocht. In a statement to District, photographer Miriam O Connor described her decision to withdraw from the Changing States exhibition as a “symbolic act to speak up for those who are not in a position to do so,” going on to add that taking part in Dlúpháirtíocht feels “really important”. O Connor went on to say that “not only does it act as a tool to raise much needed funds for Dignity for Palestinians, equally it gives transparency and visibility to our withdrawal, our political act of withdrawal from Changing States exhibition. It makes our act of protest and solidarity meaningful, something that was denied to us at Haus am Kleistpark.”

Mark Curran

Activist artist and educator Mark Curran also pulled out of the exhibition in Berlin, and is set to participate in Dlúpháirtíocht. Curran highlighted how the exhibition will raise money for Dignity For Palestinians, and highlights the ongoing atrocities occurring in Gaza, going on to say: “It is therefore, a privilege to be able to contribute in a small way to this the whole undertaking which acknowledges our shared histories, the absolute brutality of the present and puts the alleviation of suffering of innocent Palestinian civilians at the heart of its undertaking.”

Spicebag

@spicebag.exe is a political artist, perhaps best know for the award winning piece The Eviction, as well as the An Phalaistín Scarf which has raised over 10,000 for Palestinian Red Crescent. “Dlúthpháirtíocht is an important opportunity to showcase Irish and Palestinian political art right in the belly of the beast. Events like this help to preserve the energetic tempo of Irish solidarity with Palestine amid a fickle news cycle and creeping atrocity fatigue. As tech giants and governments work to algorithmically cleanse political dissent and discussion of genocide from the mainstream, deflecting and distracting with consensus-safe brain-rot and pot vs kettle political debates, exhibitions and gatherings hold increasing importance for keeping all eyes on the colonial horror show playing out in Palestine. Hopefully this is the first of many.”

Aoife Cawley

“It is an honour to contribute to this exhibition of incredible artists who have all come together to support and fundraise for the Palestinian cause.”

Aoife Cawley

@aoifecawleyart ‘s piece in the exhibition aligns the Palestinian and Irish colonial struggle. “My piece for this exhibition and publication came from the shared struggle of Palestinian and Irish people. I used the colours of the Palestinian flag and elements from the keffiyeh and wove these into an insular style manuscript text. The keffiyeh and the insular style of text symbolise the visual culture and identity of our two nations. It is an honour to contribute to this exhibition of incredible artists who have all come together to support and fundraise for the Palestinian cause.”

Dylan Wright

@dylanwright.mp4 ‘s contributing piece ‘He Wishes For To Sea’, demonstrate’s the collective voice of the people of Belfast. “Collaborative in nature, this film is designed to not only underscore the horrific conditions in Palestine today, but to also motivate the general public to mobilise their anger. It is an honour to share this sentiment with so many like-minded artists, in a world becoming desensitised to even the most heinous of war crimes. Use your voice, no matter how small it may seem.”

Liath Macha 

“Ón bhféar go dtí an spéir, beidh an Phalaistín saor”

Liath Macha 

@liathmacha is a film maker from West Belfast with a focus on Irish language documentaries and liver performances. “Chuffed to be a part of this exhibition, helping fight against spiritual wickedness in high and low places. Ón bhféar go dtí an spéir, beidh an Phalaistín saor.”

Diabhal

@st.diabhal is an Irish visual artist who works with the topics of ancient Ireland juxtaposed with modern culture, from topics of pop culture to history. “My work looks at a pre-colonial Ireland to see what that it could have looked like if it had evinced without years of suppression on its native culture. My work strongly focuses on Irish history from past to the present, so to be a part of this collection looking at the struggles Palestine are facing today and its overwhelming similarities to Ireland’s colonial history was something I feel strongly about, and I’m proud of using my art to raise awareness. Everyone so far away can feel so helpless in these dark times so to be able to use your skills to bring focus on this is so important.”

Brian Lincoln 

@vin_sustainable_fuel_sources is exhibiting a collection focusing on Irish solidarity with the Palestinian people over the past 8 months. “The aim was to capture this unique bond through our similar histories, particularly in the north of Ireland where occupation is a very recent memory for so many.  At this point it’s quite obvious that we’re witnessing a genocide. A genocide inflicted by Israel and backed up by the US and British governments all while being fully broadcast in front of our eyes. Despite this, very little is being done aside from token gestures from our government.”

The exhibition is set to be a fantastic collection of Irish solidarity and creative talent for an essential cause. If you find yourself in London at any point over the next 10 days, you cannot miss this.