We’re thrilled to announce that Ben Malcolmson, a talented visual artist based between Belfast and Dublin, has been awarded the artist commission in the transformative cross-border initiative ‘Shared Histories – Diverse Views’.
This cross-border Initiative supported by Creative Communities on a Shared Island Scheme is designed to engage communities on both sides of the border, encouraging them to explore their heritage and share experiences through the medium of photography. ‘Shared Histories’ aims to forge connections across borders through creative engagement, challenging stereotypes and sharing authentic representations of the borderlands through a public programme of co-curated public events.
As an artist, Ben works within the parameters of photography, video and sculpture exploring alternative photographic processes with relation to one’s land and identity. A current studio artist based at Flax Artist Studios in the Emerging Artist Programme, he has been awarded support from various quarters, including A-N Bursaries, and recognition from the Arts Council Northern Ireland Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme (2020). In 2019, Ben was awarded the opportunity to be part of ‘Making Marks’ by the Arab British Centre, funded by the British Council Kuwait, exploring the impact of international working on emerging artists. Over several months, Ben worked with Belfast Exposed Gallery on a body of work titled ‘Murmur’ which was exhibited in the gallery as a solo show during February 2020.
‘Shared Histories – Diverse Views’ is a collaboration between Photo Museum Ireland, Donegal County Council, Photo Museum Ireland, Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, the Nerve Centre, Derry~Londonderry, and the National Library of Ireland. This project is supported by Creative Communities on a Shared Island initiative.
