What role can the arts and creativity play in navigating unresolved concerns, ongoing debates and controversial questions for our communities?
Exploring complex topics, from reconciliation and truth-telling in the context of colonialism to polarising social or political issues, this symposium will feature exchanges between leading artists and researchers from Australia and Northern Ireland about difficult conversations we, as a globally connected society, need to have today.
The conversations
Ciara Hickey in Conversation with Array Collective
2021 winners of the Turner Prize, Array Collective, discuss their art-making as activism for women and LGBTQ+ rights and share some practical lessons in how to continue working as a collective despite obstacles and recognition by establishment interests.
Creativity in Difficult Spaces: Creative Interventions with Veterans and First Responders
Vahri McKenzie in conversation with Tony Eaton, Geoff Grey, and Paul Magee
Colin Davidson – Silent Testimony: An Introduction
Colin Davidson introduces his exhibition ‘Silent Testimony’ at the Ulster Museum in Belfast, setting the context and inspiration behind the series of portraits of victims and survivors of ‘The Troubles.’
The Launch
What role can the arts and creativity play in navigating unresolved concerns, ongoing debates and controversial questions for our communities?
This panel discussion opened the UC difficult conversations event featuring a conversation between university leaders and artists from Canberra and Ulster.
Sarah Travers in Conversation with Performance Artists
Some of Northern Ireland’s leading performance artists since the 1970s discuss the role of the artist in conflicted public spaces, navigating subjects including violence against women, political conflict, clerical sexual abuse and our relationship with power.
Frank Ferguson in conversation with Elinor Davies, James Ward and Carolann North
Frank Ferguson talks with Elinor Davies, James Ward and Carolann North about their written work covering subjects ranging from domestic experiences of ‘The Troubles’ to immigrant communities, afrofuturism and the future of Northern Ireland.
