Work of Longford visual artist to feature in two major exhibitions

A Longford visual artist is set to have his work displayed in two major exhibitions this year. Michael Croghan works primarily with photography.

Over the last decade he has developed a long-term project documenting his locality.

Collaborating with local communities his work explores the hidden histories, reconfiguring the familiar to draw attention to the poetry of the common place.

Michael’s work has been selected for various exhibitions, including the upcoming Rotterdam Photo Festival 2023 and an exhibition in The Lab Gallery Dublin.

The Dublin show entitled 'A Perambulation' features the work of Michael, Oswaldo Alvarez, Shannon Carroll, Mel Galley, Natalia Panis Kaseker and Diana Popa. It's described as “an invitation to reflect on our place within the multiple environments that surround us, the boundaries that contain us, where we are from, where we are going and the earth that sustains us all”.

“This is my end of masters exhibition,” Michael told the Leader, “I studied for that Masters at the IADT Dun Laoghaire with a Program called ARC Art & Research. I have made an art installation using my local photographic archive of County Longford.”

The group show features exhibitions designed by the participating artists: “My installation is called “Rural Area”. It was made possible thanks to a number of local companies. I was kindly sponsored by Revamp 3R Store and made use of Longford Signs on the Athlone road, Longford Town. I am very grateful to both companies.”

Rural Area examines various ways in which the experience of space is structured and organised. Michael is particularly interested in the statutory bodies involved in the planning process and the potential disconnection between them and the experience of people in county Longford.

The exhibition takes place in The Lab Gallery Dublin, opening on Wednesday, January 11, at 6pm to 8pm.