Event Details
A collage featuring three arpilleras at the core of this exhibition; 'Pat Hume', 'Tip O’Neill' and 'John Hume, Peacemaker'. (Design and photo: Leisa Duffy, © Conflict Textiles) |
| Exhibition and associated activities: | Connecting Ties: A Transatlantic Friendship and the Northern Ireland Peace Process |
| Description: | This exhibition is curated by Conflict Textiles in partnership with John Hume & Thomas P. O'Neill Chair in Peace, INCORE, Ulster University and Joseph P. Healey Library at the University of Massachusetts Boston. It illustrates through textile language the human dimension to the relationship between the United States of America (USA), Ireland and the Northern Ireland (NI) Peace process.
The Northern Ireland Conflict (“The Troubles”, 1969 - 1994) left more than 3,600 individuals dead, many more injured, and impacted all sectors of society. From the mid-1970s, key people from the United States, including Massachusetts Congressman Thomas “Tip” O’Neill, were involved in discussions and negotiations during the peace process, culminating in the Good Friday Agreement signed in April 1998.
Over the years, Tip O’Neill worked closely with John Hume. This unique friendship, the contribution of John Hume’s wife Pat and the work of these three essential people in the peace process is illustrated through three specially commissioned textiles: Tip O’Neill, John Hume, Peacemaker and Pat Hume. They are accompanied by several Northern Ireland textiles depicting the violence and search for peace in the late 20th century. Many of these were created in workshops connected to the 2012/13 exhibition programme Stitching and Unstitching The Troubles-phase 1 & phase 2 (see also Northern Ireland Community Archive). Arpilleras from Chile - which came to prominence as a way of narrating experiences of human rights abuses under the Pinochet Regime (1973 - 1990) - and Argentina, are also included. All textiles, with the exception of the Northern Ireland Reconciliation Quilt draw their inspiration from the early Chilean arpilleras.
The Tip O’Neill textile was unveiled at the Golden Bridges 2023: Conference Luncheon, 11.30 – 2.30pm, Friday, 17th November, where John Hume, Peacemaker and Pat Hume were also displayed.
The entire exhibition was launched later that evening, 4.30 - 6.30pm, in the Grossmann Gallery, Healey Library, UMASS, by Dr Tom O’Neill.
Weblinks:
OPEN ARCHIVES NEWS: UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS IN THE HEALEY LIBRARY AT UMASS BOSTON
Digital collections | Joseph P. Healey Library
OPEN ARCHIVES NEWS: UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS IN THE HEALEY LIBRARY AT UMASS BOSTON
Labor Heritage Foundation newsletter featuring Conflict Textiles collection arpillera "Cesantía / Unemployment" in "Labor ART of the Week" section.
Ulster University Alumni Newsletter | December 2023 "UU Connects in Boston" |
| Commissioned by: | John Hume & Thomas P. O'Neill Chair in Peace INCORE, Ulster University, N. Ireland |
| Date(s): | 17th November 2023 - 13th March 2024 |
| Venue: | Grossmann Gallery, Healey Library, University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA
100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America |
| Curator: | Roberta Bacic and Gillian Robinson |
| Facilitator: | M. Bailey & C. Goldstein, University Archives & Special Collections, Healey Library |
| Outcome: | The exhibition opening was well attended by members of the public and by the O'Neill Family and friends, UMass President Marty Meehan and colleagues from the Library and other Departments, Ulster University staff and alumni. Professor Gillian Robinson, Conflict Textiles trustee, was there to set up and engaged in the opening and start events.
The exhibition was primarily viewed by those visiting the Joseph P.Healey Library and the textiles were returned to Ireland on the 13th March 2024.
Textile artist Lisa Raye Garlock, who made the textile portrait of Tip O'Neill, was also in attendance at the launch. She addressed the attendees explaining the way she worked and the information sources she used, as well as the relevance personal memorabilia the family contributed with.
Key to the exhibition process from beginning to end was the professional collaboration of M. Bailey & C. Goldstein, librarians at University Archives & Special Collections of Healey Library, UMass. |
| Documents: |
• Textile list, 'Connecting Ties', Nov 23 - view
• Exhibition launch invitation, 17 Nov 16.30 - view
• Introduction panel, 'Connecting Ties', Nov 23 - view
• Photo gallery: 'Connecting Ties', Jan. 23 - view
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