Jim Campbell speaking at the launch of his exhibition ‘Divided’ in Wexford Arts Centre. Pic: John Walsh
THERE WAS a certain feeling of sardines in a tin at the Arts Centre on Thursday last when a huge crowd gathered for the opening of ‘Divided’, a new exhibition of photography by The Echo’s own Jim Campbell.
‘Divided’ charts Jim’s three visits to Israel, the sights he saw, the people he met and the fresh understanding he gained of a land steeped in turmoil and the weight of its history.
At least 300 people packed into the downstairs exhibition space but most will need to return on a second occasion to properly peruse the images. Local councillor Davy Hynes quipped: “If Jim Campbell couldn’t draw a crowd, no one could!”
Opening the formalities, Elizabeth Whyte, Executive Director of the Arts Centre said it was a great privilege to welcome Jim and his work to the space, remarking that they usually welcomed to take pictures of other people’s work.
There was, she said, some tragic and some heart-warming stories dotted within the 52-image exhibition that Jim had chosen to share. She also commended this newspaper and its strong media support of all sectors of the arts, a subject which, she said, often found it hard to get coverage.
Officially opening the exhibition, Echo editor Tom Mooney remarked that there was no room for ambiguity in the work but instead painted a vivid picture of a polarised society whose name – the Middle East – has become “the epitome of an eternal conflict, the unsolvable puzzle.”
Jim thanked the huge crowd for their support, remarking that it meant a lot to him. He remarked that ‘Divided’ had been “a project I’ve loved”.
[Full story in this week’s Echo]