Statement

I view photography as an instrument of inquiry, a way of studying the poetics of life, a means of expression. My work comes from a place of trauma and deep personal pain, both witnessed and experienced, which compels me to express my feelings and reinforces my need to understand and reflect upon the pain and suffering of others. This need to  convey stories through art, compliments a belief that when pain is shared, it  might be eased, echoing Mark Rothko, who remarked, “You’ve got sadness in you; I’ve got sadness in me, and my works of art are places where the two sadnesses can meet and, therefore, both of us need to feel less sad.” Seeking to create works, which connect visually with the stories I tell, I employ varied photographic processes to create narratives, which communicate my ideas. Previous artworks have covered themes such as: belonging, isolation, transience and loss. My most recent work raises questions regarding socio-political  oppression, inequality, and vulnerability.

Biography

Richard Gosnold is a photographic artist based in Northern Ireland. He was shortlisted for the Unseen  Photobook Award, Amsterdam in 2019, with his photobook dummy 'It Starts With Silence'. He holds  an MFA from the Belfast School of Art, Ulster University.

His photographic work has been exhibited across Ireland and Europe, and is held in private collections.

Kehrer Verlag published his first photobook, ‘It Starts With Silence’, in 2021. The  Library Project in Dublin published three printed volumes from his work ‘Paradise Lost’, in 2020, as part of their TLP Editions series.

In 2022 he was invited to join theIrish Photo Network, a new co-curatedonline platform from Photo Museum Ireland in partnership with Belfast ExposedGallery, Belfast Photo Festival and Source Magazine. This initiative showcasescontemporary photographic practices from the island of Ireland. 

Gosnold is a member of the Belfast Photo Factory collective, where he organises regular photobook conversation groups  designed to celebrate photobooks as physical, tangible works of art. He has  chaired and presented photography related events in Belfast Exposed Gallery and  for the Belfast Photo Festival. He authored and delivers a workshop, ‘How  to  Create a Photobook’, which is hosted by Belfast Exposed Gallery.

Based near Belfast. 

Contact :  rigosnold@yahoo.co.uk


Photo Museum Ireland 

I  visited Photo Museum Ireland to sign some copies of 'It Starts With Silence'. 

The signed books are available in the shop at Photo Museum Ireland.


Abridged 0-92: The Violet Hour

Abridged Magazine have selected images from 'Paradise Lost' to be paired with poetry from Gillian Craig, Xavi Khan, and Jane Robinson.


The organisers of the Irish Photo Network commissioned three writers to respond to curated works. Rebecca O'Dwyer wrote the essay for the 'Conflicting Spaces' segment, in which 'It Starts With Silence' was included. The essay can be read here.


Irish Photo Network

Work from 'It Starts With Silence' has been included in this new initiative, which launches at Photo Museum Ireland on 21st September 2022.

"Irish Photo Network is a new a co-curated online platform showcasing contemporary photographic practices from the island of Ireland. Join us for a free talk event with network partners Belfast Exposed, Source Magazine, Belfast Photo Festival and Photo Museum Ireland."


Photo Museum Ireland

A selection of work from 'It Starts With Silence' is included in  'Photography and the Social Gaze', which will be showing at Photo Museum Ireland from 22nd September to 5th November 2022.

"The latest chapter of Photo Museum Ireland’s year-long In Our Own Image exhibition programme, Photography & the Social Gaze, is a landmark survey that undertakes a critical reframing of the way Irish life has been represented through photography. Featuring work from over 30 Artists, the exhibition explores how photographers have used their medium to reflect on immense social change in Ireland over recent decades."


PhotoIreland 2022

Work from 'It Starts With Silence' will be on show during PhotoIreland.

Between 16:00-17:00 on Friday 15th July, I'll be showing a selection of recent work at The Printworks, and I'd love to speak with you if you're passing by.


'A Bigger Picture' - Panel Discusson

Wednesday, 15th June - 18:00 BST

I'm privileged to be joining Dr Clare Gallagher, Dr Emma Campbell and Anna Liesching - Curator of Art at Ulster Museum, in a discussion, which coincides with the exhibition at Golden Thread Gallery.

In conjunction with the Belfast Photo Festival and British Journal of Photography.

Follow this link for a recording of the talk 'A Bigger Picture'

Install

Installing work from 'It Starts With Silence' at Golden Thread Gallery, Belfast.

Part of a group show curated by Dr. Clare Gallagher in partnership with Anna Liesching and Clare Gormley from the Northern Irish Art Network.

'A Bigger Picture' - Exhibition runs from May 12th to July 9th, 2022.




The Telegraph

'It Starts With Silence' was included among the Best Photography from Ireland in 2021 for The Telegraph Digital Edition.

Selected by PhotoIreland.


Harper's Magazine

Harper’s Magazine published an  essay by Professor Perri Klass:

‘When Children Die – Tragedies in the  margins of history’

It’s a poignant account, which reflects upon  the history of child loss, and the role of medical science in prolonging life forchildren.

The essay features historical artworks including a small photo, which I made, after Alenja was born – one of our memories.

The essay from Harper's Magazine can be read here.


26/05/21

Three years on and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission are back in court today. Fighting for reproductive healthcare in NI.

Politicians and lawyers remain fanatical in their desire for women to suffer instead of receiving compassionate healthcare in Northern Ireland.

Once again the burden falls upon "enormously brave women" to provide evidence in court to effect change.

Spread from 'It Starts With Silence'.


Zoom Event

In an event hosted by Emma Campbell  and Alliance for Choice, I spoke with writer and journalist, Susan McKay, about 'It Starts With Silence'.


Photobook Release

The photobook 'It Starts With Silence' has arrived.

For more information about the book click here.


Zoom Event

25/03/21 - 18:30

Hosted by Emma Campbell and Alliance for Choice, I'll be speaking with writer, Susan McKay about my photobook, 'It Starts With Silence'.


Love Art Buy Art - Golden Thread Gallery

I'm showing this piece, at Golden Thread Gallery, alongside other local artists:

Lisa Allan, Lorraine Burrell, Catherine Davison, Gerry Gleason, Michelle McKeown, Lisa Malone, Mhairi Sutherland and Gary Shaw.

This initiative has been created to help artists during the Covid crises. Golden Thread Gallery has selected nine local artists to showcase their work.

Installation shots, provided by the gallery.

Click here to see more information about the show.


New Publications

The Library Project in Dublin produced these publications of 'Paradise Lost'

They will be available soon, as part of their TLP Editions programme. 

More details for these publications can be found here.


Funding Award For New Photobook

I have received an award from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, towards the production of a photobook for 'It Starts With Silence'. 

This is a challenging body of work, with themes, which elicit deep emotions and the support from the Arts Council is a welcome endorsement.


TLP Editions - Publication

Images from my work 'Paradise Lost' are to be published in the TLP Editions collection of books, in 2020. 

Each book is designed and published by the Library Project in Dublin.


Unseen Dummy Award, 2019

I have been shortlisted for 'Unseen' Book Award 2019, with my body of work 'It Starts With Silence'.

More details of the award and shortlisted artists can be seen here: https://amsterdam.unseenplatform.com/event/news/unseen-dummy-award-2019:-announcing-the-shortlist


Halftone Print Fair, Dublin

I have three images included in the Halftone Print Fair at The Library Project in Dublin. 

The fair runs from 1st to 18th November, 2018. 

There's lots of fabulous artwork on show, for more details click here: Halftone 2018


Funding for New Work

I have received funding, from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, for an experimental body of work, titled 'Paradise Lost'

Watch this space for updates.


Issue 3 Launch at TLP, Dublin

Images from 'Voices' will be on display at The Library Project in Dublin to coincide with the launch of Issue 3, 'The Empathy Issue', of Junior Press Magazine.


Work Featured

A selection of images from 'Voices' feature in Issue 3, 'The Empathy Issue', of Junior Magazine.


Exhibition - 9th March > 21st April

I have work included in this group show, curated by Belfast Exposed, to celebrate 10 years of photography from Ulster University. 

I will be showing work from my current research 'It Starts With Silence'. 

Preview / Opening 8th March 6-9pm.

More information about the exhibition and the list of photographers showing can be seen here at BX Gallery


Source Magazine 10 years - Top 150 Graduate Projects 

'Voices' was listed among the top 150 from the 4,879 graduate projects that Source Magazine has published online since 2007. 

Follow the link to see the full list of 150 projects.


Showing Work

Work from 'Selfie Society' will be showing in Established Coffee as part of Belfast's 2017 Culture Night

The work will be shown along with other members of Belfast Photo Factory. 

Here in Belfast.


Photograph Featured

A photograph, from my 'Sea Pools' work, will be published in Abridged magazine issue 0-49 Babel.


Cooperative Membership

I will be joining the Belfast Photo Factory. A cooperative working from a studio in central Belfast.


Photoworks - Showcase on 14th September 2016

'Voices' was chosen by the director of Photoworks, Celia Davies, to be showcased on the Photoworks website. 

An edit of ten images from the series will appear online on 14th September.

Click here to see the work.


Source Photographic Review - Graduate Photography Online

Work from 'Voices' included in the MFA graduate section.


Irish Arts Review

Work from 'Voices' featured on Irish Arts, 'New Generation Artists' website.

www.irishartsreview.com/new-generation-artist-work/richard-gosnold/


Exhibition at Artbox, Dublin 

Exhibition Dates: July 8th-23rd. Preview, Friday, July 8th (6-8pm)

This exhibition marks the culmination of study for a group of MFA Photography Students at Ulster University’s Belfast School of Art. The photographs are part of a greater body of research that each student has completed for their final year project.

Artists: Aaron Dickson, Richard Gosnold, Dianne Whyte, Tim West, Dalyce Wilson, Katrina Taggart

This exhibition is part of the PhotoIreland festival, 2016.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1012208418897734/


Work on Show at The Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

I will be showing images from my artwork, 'Recoil', at The Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast. The show will be running for two weeks from May 19th, 2015.


Using Format