Limerick lecturer portrays Good Friday Agreement through video artwork

A LIMERICK lecturer has unveiled a “monumental” artwork series capturing the politicians involved in the Good Friday Agreement.

Through a series of large-scale silent video portraits of the 14 politicians who negotiated the agreement of 1998 which ended decades of conflict in Northern Ireland, Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD), TUS lecturer and artist Amanda Dunsmore, has presented ‘AGREEMENT.’

After attending Art College in Belfast, Amanda worked as an artist-in-residence in the Maze/Long Kesh Prison during the time of the peace negotiations in 1998.

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Inspired by the 14 individuals who feature in the ‘AGREEMENT’ artwork and their contribution to the ending of 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland, Amanda decided to recognise their achievements in a unique way.

Through silent video portraits continuously looped in a gallery presentation, Amanda presents still and seated subjects, who are focused and looking at the audience.

According to the artist, the reason behind the silent video portraits is to show a different side to the individuals.

 “With these silent portraits the effect is quite strong on the audience, they spend time in the space with people they know from TV and media, in silence. They are well known, and being politicians, they are generally talking, and imparting information, but when you're given the other silent part of the individual, it gives this quite deep effect,” she explained.

The lecturer in Fine Art at LSAD TUS draws on over 30 years of experience to guide and inspire her students. Using contextual portraiture and social historic projects, Amanda explores representations of societal transformation.

Speaking of the influence of her work on her role as a lecturer, Amanda noted: “There is no line between your life and your work and this imparting to students is very important, finding what your interests are in life and carrying this with you in your studio work because you can only do what you enjoy and what you enjoy, you are naturally interested in.”

‘AGREEMENT’ will be displayed as a special three-screen at Ulster University’s Belfast Campus, from April 15 to 20. Additionally, six communities across Northern Ireland will host the artwork for a short period, as an opportunity to reflect on what the ‘Good Friday’ Agreement means to people today.