Wetlands Project ( Irish Raised Bogs )
Photography & writings on Ireland’s boglands.
STATEMENT OF INTENT
Project. – “THE WORKED LAND”
The story of Irish raised bogs is probably one of the most historically contentious pieces of land in Ireland if not in Europe. When the vegetation is stripped back it has a negative effect on our climate by allowing carbon dioxide and other harmful gasses to escape into the atmosphere. Boglands are one sixth of our total land mass.
Harvested peat was used to fuel specially designed power generating stations in Ireland and to supply the horticultural industry across Europe. Today, the strategy has changed from a ‘Brown to Green’ policy which involves rewetting and rewilding our peatlands, this is being funded by the state. This action was at the behest of the European Union.
My approach and treatment of this sub project has been different to that in others and different methodologies were used along with standard research methods used previously like experimentation, books, media and methods of collecting data. Through a combination of informal meetings with **Bord a Móna ex employees and with other peat/turf harvesting contractors (turf extrusion) it allowed me to get a greater understanding of the current situation. Peat harvesting is still being carried out on these boglands by private owners, some with ‘Turbary Rights’.
I visited more than sixteen locations within this module and returned several times to the ones that were of interest and fitted in with my vision. I set up a series of cameras to take photographs at one minute intervals. This allowed me to observe light and survey the area day and night. The photographer Jem Southam returned to the river Exe several times at the same time of day to photograph and I am reminded of his words, “somehow or other I form a connection with a site, a relationship.”( J. Southam talking to Alice Zoo)
This project has been an environmental journey and my intent is to invite the viewer to look at my work and ascertain for themselves the evolvement of these lands, there has been damage caused by overworking and stripping the land and the harvesting and extrusion of peat. You are then guided through to the now, cessation of work and abandonment of machinery. In some cases the land itself has been disregarded and left lifeless. A presumed vision and favourable ending would be a possible return to a healthy biodiversity by rewetting and allowing the land to repair itself as nature does. I need to bring this to the people that live in these areas, as an exhibition. Its important to have memories through my photography and they can complete their own narrative.
” The viewer must bring their own view to a photograph.” Fay Godwin.
You must love and have a strong connection with these lands to carry out this type of work, I believe I have that, this will always be reflected in my imagery
Footnote: Bord na Móna. ( Irish Turf Board ).
Images are copyright and can be licensed, but not used without permission. Contact me for rates and conditions.
Wetlands – Looking Back
