Thursday, 28 March 2024

Event Details

The Troubles and Beyond exhibition, which incorporates textiles from the international Conflict Textiles collection on a permanent rotating basis. (Photo: Martin Nangle, Ulster Museum collection)

The Troubles and Beyond exhibition, which incorporates textiles from the international Conflict Textiles collection on a permanent rotating basis. (Photo: Martin Nangle, Ulster Museum collection)

 

Rotating exhibition:The Troubles and Beyond
Description: The history of Northern Ireland from the late 1960s onwards has been dominated by the civil and political conflict commonly referred to as ‘the Troubles’. The traumatic events of the years after 1968 touched almost everyone who lived here and many others from further afield. Inevitably, the interpretation of these events is contested in terms of their significance, meaning, and responsibility. While we have a shared past, we do not have a shared memory.

"The Troubles and Beyond" exhibition at the Ulster Museum seeks to provide a platform for conversation and debate about our recent past. The new gallery explores politics and conflict and the impact of both on everyday life, people and communities. It also examines the important social, economic, and cultural changes that were taking place here and around the world. It powerfully examines our recent past through a remarkable range of objects reflecting diverse perspectives and experiences.

Textiles from the international Conflict Textiles collection are an integral element within the "The Troubles and Beyond" exhibition and will be rotated on an annual basis. This collaboration commenced with an Arpillera Doll Making Workshop in 2017 and has since led to the creative exchange of objects and ideas. Curator Roberta Bacic has described this collaboration as innovative, noting that “… textiles are seldom recognised or included in political contexts”. A number of pieces displayed since March 2018 were created in cross community workshops following the "Stitching and Unstitching the Troubles" exhibition (2012-2013). As the textile element of “The Troubles and Beyond” exhibition rotates annually, pieces will be replaced with a range of textiles from Conflict Textiles and other collections, allowing visitors to engage with the context and diverse perspectives through the powerful medium of textiles.

This inaugural display features two pieces from Northern Ireland: Peace Quilt - Common Loss, by Irene MacWilliam and No going back, by Sonia Copeland. A third textile Hotel Bombing, Cushendall was added in November 2018.

Details of subsequent rotating exhibitions can be accessed at the links below:
The Troubles and Beyond - 'Praying for Peace' and 'Through the Barricades'
(13 May 2019 - 6 October 2020)
The Troubles and Beyond - 'Peace Quilt - Common Loss' and 'Justice for All'
(6 October 2020 - 31 August 2021)
Following the Footsteps of the Disappeared 2021 (31 August 2021 - 20 December 2021)
The Troubles and Beyond - Dove imagery across wall hanging, painting and arpillera
(20 December 2021 - 28 June 2022)
The Troubles and Beyond - Three-piece installation of Chilean arpilleras
(28 June 2022 - 8 Feb 2023)
The Troubles and Beyond - Mujeres Disruptivas / Disruptive Women
(8th Feb 2023 - 5th Aug 2023)
Commissioned by: Ulster Museum, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Date(s): 30th March 2018 - 13th May 2019
Venue: Ulster Museum, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Belfast BT9 5AB, Northern Ireland
Curator: Karen Logan
Facilitator: Roberta Bacic and Karen Logan
Outcome: Ongoing partnership that sees Conflict Textiles displayed within the Troubles and Beyond exhibition and direct involvement through public programming, research and dialogue




Documents: • Textile list: The Troubles and Beyond, Mar 18 - view
• Conflict Textile pieces on display: Mar 2018 - view
• Acknowledged contributors - view
• Review by Dr. Karen Nickell, June 2018 - view
• Press coverage: November 2018 - view
• Textile list: The Troubles and Beyond, Nov 18 - view
• Textile list: The Troubles and Beyond, May 19 - view
• Textiles on display, May 2019 - view
• List of textiles and display image, Oct 2020 - view
• List of textiles and display image, Sept 2021 - view
• List of textiles and display image, Dec. 2021 - view
• Narrative text for installation, Dec. 2021 - view
• List of textiles and display image, June 2022 - view
• Narrative text for installation, June 2022 - view