"This is Palestine"

Orla Casey
Oct 16, 2016
2 min read

Now and again there comes an exhibition that reaches far beyond typical or traditional art exhibitions. It is one that stays with you and everybody who sees it for years. It stays with you well after the pieces have been taken down and well after the holes in the wall have been filled for its replacement. “This is Palestine” is one of these exhibitions.

Director, producer and photographer John Mc Colgan traveled to Palestine in May 2016 with Trocaire to uncover the truth behind the devastation left with the locals there. He records his journey through photograph’s and short stories of the people of Palestine. June 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the war between Israel and Palestine. Mc Colgan’s documentation shows the heartache, racial segregation as well as frequent conflict that is still occurring to this day.

His portraits show a variety of different people who have been affected by this war; women, men and children of all ages which shows that it has not only disrupted specific people. It gives an insight into their world and invites us in to share their life since this war. Mc Colgan even highlights other issues such as “The Wall”, also known as the “Apartheid Wall”. This wall was ordered to be taken down yet still remains in the centre of Palestine, dividing the area.

“The future looks bleak for Gaza. The UN has declared that by the year 2020 Gaza will not be a place for human beings to live... The world is watching and doing nothing.”

If that does not speak volumes I do not know what does.

This exhibition is incredible. It’s powerful, intense, and it makes you feel which every art exhibition should. It is the type of exhibition which people need to see to realise what is happening in the world. The striking images are so beautifully taken; Mc Colgan has truly spoken through them.

Trocaire also cannot go unnoticed in relation to this exhibition. Since 2002 they have been working with families in Gaza. They are currently organising a new programme which aims to help specifically the women of Gaza. €100,000 is needed to launch this and all proceeds from this exhibition will be donated to this incredible cause. For more information visit: https://www.trocaire.org/donate/romero/gaza