Photographs will create an impact (From Penarth Times)

Photographs will create an impact

A NEW era of photographic exhibiting has been ushered in by a Penarth gallery with a powerful series of images.

The Turner House Gallery shut its doors to local art enthusiasts wishing to show their work at the end of March.

Now the floor space is being used by Ffotogallery, the national development agency for photography in Wales.

Photographer Professor Paul Seawright is exhibiting a powerful series of photographs about the political turmoil in Northern Ireland.

The Belfast born lecturer said: "I often exhibit powerful images and these particular photos are a series of scenes where sectarian murders took place in the 1970s.

"I think the perspective of a photographer has an immediate effect on the viewer.

Images tell the story without the need for words."

He added: "Growing up in Northern Ireland has greatly influenced me.

When I was 11 my dad took me to see the Gas Board's burning building which was bombed by the IRA.

I took some photos and have been hooked ever since.

A lecturer in photography at Professor Seawright also said: "In Belfast I lived through the night curfews which were imposed upon the people.

And I have seen a lot of unusual events back home.

But it was not until I left Northern Ireland that I realised I saw what is strange to other people."

The exhibition operated by Ffotogallery, opens on April 11 with a topical selection of early works by Paul Seawright.

The exhibition shows a powerful and unnerving understanding of the sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland.

It coincides with another exhibition of Professor Seawright's work at the Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff. Entitled "Hidden", this display of work was produced in 2002 following a commission from the Imperial War Museum in London to visit war-torn Afghanistan.

Professor Seawright was selected to represent Wales at the Venice Beinnale 2003. Some of his recent work from Afghanistan was included.