The aim is to celebrate the photography of pioneering social documentarian JJ Clarke, to establish the significance of the collection & create opportunities for public engagement.

JJ Clarke collection, previously donated to the National Library of Ireland (NLI), taken in various locations in Ireland, but most notably Castleblayney & Dublin c1903-1908 & is considered to be amongst the finest & earliest examples of street photography documenting people in a naturalistic and candid fashion, & Iontas Arts are delighted to partner with NLI in bringing his work home to Castleblayney.

The Exhibition will span from September - October 2019, & subsequently travel to venue across Co.Monaghan. A booklet featuring reproductions of a selection of photographs, biographical details of JJ Clarke and a socio-cultural context for the collection.

A series of free lectures & panel discussions will occur in tandem with the exhibition, exploring aspects of Clarkes collection, arts and technolgy and Castleblayney's built and cultural heritage.

The exhibition will form part of the Back to Castleblayney initiative in September 2019 and produced in parallel with a number of theatrical works being devised by Declan Gorman as part of his Theatre Artist in Residence programme for Co.Monaghan.  A print mural depicting Clarke & a selection of photographs will be placed on the wall adjacent to Clarke's homeplace. 

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.