Clare Arts Office in conjunction with Cultúrlann Sweeney Library Gallery presents Mary, Mary, by London-born Irish photographer, Mary Musgrove, previously shown at the London Irish Centre, Camden.
Mary, Mary’ is set during the period 1921 – 1998, a time when the Catholic Church had significant influence in Irish society.
Mary has used Therapeutic Photography to express a semi-autobiographical account of her own family’s generational trauma. This project researches the story of Mary’s mother Teresa and her stolen sister, ‘Mary’ – a journey of understanding and forgiveness.
Mary focuses on the Irish landscape, on which many families were destroyed, leading to the largest diaspora of Irish people across the world, many of whom have never fully recovered or returned to their homeland.
Mary, Mary is a ‘photovoice’ project for victims and survivors of ‘The Mother and Baby Homes’ scandal.
Mary Musgrove completed an MA Photography with this personal project.
Mary said: “The photography represents the family’s history using the Therapeutic photography processes so Mary and her Mum with her force-adopted sister form an understanding of what happened in 1964. Through using family photographs, interviews as well as new photography Mary creates a snapshot of ‘what remains’ in the old family home with the history of ‘secrets’, shame and lost memories.
Mary says she would like anyone to go visit the exhibition and please comment in the guest book and if they would like any information on the redress system or counselling services please contact her though the website.
Books and prints are on sale through Kilbaha Gallery and the website.