Proverbs

7 December 2018 - 10 January 2019

Robert Ellis

Gallery Two

7 December – 10 January

Opening reception – 7 December at 6pm


Proverbs is a long term multimedia project involving a combination of audio alongside still and moving images that seeks to engage with the contemporary landscape of Uganda while exploring its layers of memory. While the proverbs themselves exist as a result of concentrated wisdoms based on ethnic experience, the images here do not attempt to portray the age-old wisdoms. Rather, they seek to create a platform which might allow them to be re-imagined. Wandering through this unfamiliar landscape, the images linger on the people and its landforms, meditating on their relationship to their own environment. Fluid in approach, there are no fixed stories to tell, or no conclusive outcomes to communicate, rather an overarching narrative which seeks to consider how place is experienced, not only for its aesthetic values, but equally for the layers of memory and history that it holds.

Robert Ellis

Robert Ellis is an Irish visual artist and lecturer who completed his MFA in Photography from the University of Ulster in Belfast (2011), having previously graduated with a BA Hons Degree in Photography from Dublin Institute of Photography (2007). Recent solo exhibitions include Mathis Gallery in Wisconsin, USA (2018), Belfast Exposed Gallery (2017), Peckham 24 as part of Photo London (2017), and The Library Project in Temple Bar (2017). His work is held in several private collections including the Northern Ireland Arts Council. In 2018 he was shortlisted for the Zurich Portrait Prize and was showcased in the National Gallery of Ireland. He has also been featured on a number of online platforms including The British Journal of Photography, FlakPhoto and This is Paper. He is currently a photography lecturer at Griffith College and the National College of Art & Design in Dublin.

Robert Ellis was chosen a the winner of Rua Red's Winter Open Exhibition 2017.

Print by artist Ssemogerere Derrick PaulPrint by artist Ssemogerere Derrick Paul


"Ssemogerere Derrick Paul is a student at Nagenda International Academy of Art & Design, studying a Diploma in Fine Art. I first met Derrick this year when I returned to Uganda in July to develop my own body of work ‘Proverbs’. While there were no classes running on campus, Derrick who lives locally, called onto campus daily to see if he could assist and learn from me while I was there. He was of great assistance, and invariably ended up becoming a subject of the ‘Proverbs’ work itself. While teaching him a few things about photography, I gave him my camera to use for a day. When he came back that evening we looked over what he had shot I came across this stunning image. All of the staff at NIAAD agreed that he is one of the most hard working and dedicated young students they have seen in a long time. I have decided to sell his print at a very reasonable price, with the entire sales going towards buying him his first camera. We are not asking for donations, but rather giving you a chance to get in on this young photographers career early, as I am certain that he is going places" - Robert Ellis

This project is very generously sponsored by David Monahan printing services.

Prints are available for €40 from Rua Red for the duration of the show.

Artist Ssemogerere Derrick Paul

Artist Ssemogerere Derrick Paul
Archival Pigment Print
Edition of 100
20 X 29 CM
€40

Visitor Comments

“Amazing. Reminds me of home.” - S.A
“Robert Ellis was just so sensitive and poetic.” - Marian
“Very interesting. The triptych film is stunning.” - C
“Amazingly uplifting - all of it. Congratulations to the bold and poignant Robert Ellis.” - Anon
“Amazing exhibition, love it!” - Adeline
“Wonderful! ” - Liz