Portraits of asylum seekers that have been living in a makeshift campsite outside the International Protection Office in Dublin for several months. The Irish State currently does not provide accommodation for all male arrivals – in contravention of international commitments.
The build-up of rubbish, exposure to the cold and lack of toilet and laundry facilities was contributing to the spread of infections, including respiratory illness and scabies.
I always include a symbol of the story in my images. For this I chose a vintage suitcase to signify the journey the men have taken.
Deirdre Brennan holds a Bachelors in Fine Art from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland. Her work has been published internationally in titles such as The New York Times, Time Magazine, The Guardian, American Photography, The Sunday Times, Newsweek, Mother Jones, Portrait of Humanity, Le Monde, The Hollywood Reporter, Der Grief, Marie Claire, Der Spiegel.
Her photographic practice has always been informed by a life long interest in social justice, politics and history. Fusing historical and social research with image experimentation.
Awards In 2023, her series “Reflecting on 100 Years of The Irish State” was launched on same day in New York and Paris by America Photography and Der Grief at Paris Photo. Awarded silver at Prix de la Photographie de Paris, bronze at The Tokyo International Foto Awards and exhibited in South Korea. Two portraits were selected for Portrait of Humanity by British Journal of Photography and exhibited at Belfast Exposed and The Indian Photo Festival.
Her photography book “Following Ulysses” utilising the structure of James Joyce's novel to explore themes of culture, politics, character and social struggle in modern Dublin was published by Hi Tone Book to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the publication of Ulysses in 2022. Exhibited at Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris for the centenary celebrations of Ulysses.
One of her photographs from Portrait of Humanity was featured in the Worlds’s First Exhibition in Outer Space.
Nominations include The World Press Photo Master Class, The New York Photo Awards and Photo District News “30 Under 30″
Deirdre was named ” 10 Women Who Wrote History With Their Cameras” as part of Visa pour L’image, The International Photojournalism Festival’s 20th Anniversary in 2008.
