Monday, March 16, 2009

Monday Post: Willie Doherty





Doherty was born in 1959 in Derry, Ireland.  He studied sculpture at Ulster Polytechnic in Belfast.  When he was a child he witnessed Bloody Sunday, which greatly influences themes and subject matter in his work.  According to Wikipedia,Doherty has again suggested that this interest may stem from his witnessing of Bloody Sunday and subsequent knowledge that many photos of the incident did not tell the whole truth.”  Doherty makes both photographs and video installations, with the latter being said to contain aspects of film noir.  He rose to acclaim in the 1980s with his series of photographic works with text overlay.  According to Arts Council of Northern Ireland, these photographs “explore the complexities of living in a divided community, especially in his native Northern Ireland. Much of his work refers to an undercurrent of fear, oppression and uncertainty that for many was a daily experience of life in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.”  Doherty currently lives and works in Derry, Ireland.

Gallery representing artist:

http://www.alexanderandbonin.com/artists/doherty/doherty.html

Artist Interview:

http://www.jca-online.com/doherty.html

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