Gillian McElroy
I photographed amateur musicians in Northern Ireland, playing Irish traditional music in their sitting rooms at home. They are a mix of young and old, from different communities and playing a range of instruments. As amateurs, the practice is more important than the performance and each musician gave a different reason for playing, from de-stressing, to developing their creativity, to building their skills, to simple enjoyment. I photographed each musician in their own home where they were most comfortable playing. It felt important to record the environment, with the décor, ornaments and signs of life that each person had built around them. I approached each location as part of the mise-en-scene, helping to tell the sitter's story and give the viewer an insight into the role of music in their daily life.
Anna Brogan • Tasmin Bryden • Bronagh Byrne • Shannen Daly • Nicola Davidson • Kate Donaldson • Holly Foskett • Matt Glover • Mary Hamill • Stephanie Jemphrey • Lisa Lynch • Michael Brad McClenaghan • James McCourt • Gillian McElroy • Karen McKnight • Ashleigh Scarlett Mcclurg • Maria Przybylska • Nathanael Smyth • Suzi Taylor • Emma Traynor • Malachy Wynn •
Bath Spa University
BA (Hons) Photography
Ulster University Belfast
BA (Hons) Photography
Blackburn College
BA (Hons) Photographic Media
Blackpool and the Fylde
BA (Hons) Photography
University of Brighton
BA (Hons) Photography
Arts University Bournemouth
BA (Hons) Photography
University of Chester
BA (Hons) Photography
University of Cumbria
BA (Hons) Photography
Dublin Institute of Technology
BA (Hons) Photography
Edinburgh College
BA Professional Photography
Edinburgh Napier University
BA (Hons) Photography
Falmouth University
BA (Hons) Photography
Hereford College of Arts
BA (Hons) Photography
University of Huddersfield
BA (Hons) Photography
University Centre, Hugh Baird College
BA (Hons) Digital Imaging & Photography
UCS Ipswich
BA (Hons) Photography
Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design
BA (Hons) Fine Art Photography
Leeds College of Art
BA (Hons) Photography
Limerick School of Art & Design
Photography & Lens Based Media - BA (Hons) Fine Art
National College of Art and Design
Photography and Digital Imaging Certificate
University of Portsmouth
BA (Hons) Photography
UCA Rochester
BA (Hons) Photography (Contemporary Practice)
Sheffield Hallam University
BA (Hons) Photography
Southampton Solent University
BA (Hons) Photography
Staffordshire University
BA (Hons) Photojournalism
Swansea College of Art, UWTSD
BA (Hons) Photography in the Arts
Swansea College of Art, UWTSD
BA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography