An upcoming photography exhibition in Tipperary celebrates community and resilience

A new exhibition at Nenagh Arts Centre will turn a careful lens on contemporary life in rural Tipperary from the end of this month.

We Are Still Here: Portraits from Nenagh, by artist and educator Shannen Slattery, opens on January 31 and runs until February 14. Admission is free.

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The mixed media exhibition examines identity, resilience and belonging in modern rural Ireland. It centres on large scale photographic portraits of local people, each work enhanced with hand stitched and painted elements.

The portraits are created through collaboration, with Slattery working directly with participants from the Nenagh area.

The subjects of the exhibition are individuals who are often overlooked or narrowly defined. By presenting them with scale and attention, the exhibition challenges easy assumptions and restores a sense of presence.

Each portrait is paired with the sitter’s own voice, inviting visitors to listen as well as observe.

The exhibition offers a quiet but deliberate form of visibility, recognising those who remain rooted in their community and continue to take up space within it.

An official launch will take place on Friday, February 6 at 6pm. A meet the artist event follows on Saturday, February 7 at 12pm, when Slattery will host an informal walk through the exhibition.

She will discuss the stories behind the portraits, explain her collaborative approach and answer questions from visitors.

We Are Still Here: Portraits from Nenagh runs from January 31 at 10am to February 14 at 6pm in the foyer of Nenagh Arts Centre.

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