A very unique visual media exhibition which is based on original documents and accounts from the people who were affected by the Civil War in Kerry will form part of a forthcoming conference on the conflict which takes places at Siamsa Tíre later this month.
Mise, le Meas is an innovative collaboration between visual media students from MTU Kerry Campus and Kerry College and it presents a series of creative interpretations of the events of the Civil War in the county as well as the stories of many combatants and survivors.
The exhibition follows months of research and preparation by students of the BA (Hons) in Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Design at MTU, alongside learners of the Digital Design and Visual Communication Programme in Kerry College.
The large format and small-scale works, both printed and digital, are based on the lives of local individuals, including well-known local figures such as Stephen Fuller, the sole survivor of the Ballyseedy, and Private Joseph O’Brien, who was seriously injured in the trip-mine explosion at Knocknagoshel.
There is also a particular emphasis on the inclusion of women and their experience of the Civil War. The stories of Cumann na mBan members, Elizabeth Dunne and Mollie O’Shea, are explored, with a graphic novel format illustrating the story of the Power sisters from Tralee.
The creative format promises to be of interest to a wide audience and of particular interest to local schools.
“The students have created inspiring and diverse visual responses to Civil War narratives, focusing on original documentation and poignant letters sent and received during this tumultuous and formative period in Irish history,” said MTU lecturer, Lisa McElligott.
The project, which is funded by the Student Transitions Fund at MTU Kerry Campus, will be opened by the Minister for Education and Kerry TD, Norma Foleym and it will run at the Siamsa Tíre Gallery from February 17 to March 1 Admission to the exhibition is free.
The Kerry Civil War Conference, which takes place on February 23-25, forms part of the Decade of Centenaries Programme for 2023 and is supported by Kerry County Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
For more information and bookings see www.kerrycivilwarconference.ie and www.siamsatire.com.
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