Issue No. 28 – Control

What is the nature of control? The desire for it—and to be free of it—are essential parts of both life and art.

Book Review: Troubled Land by Paul Graham

Book Review: Troubled Land by Paul Graham

Paul Graham, 'Unionist Coloured Kerbstones at Dusk, Near Omagh, 1985’, from Troubled Land (MACK,2022). Courtesy of the artist and MACK.

Written by: Federica Barrios Carbonell

Paul Graham wears many hats from a computer scientist, essayist, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist, to an author. In the new edition of his iconic book Troubled Land, Graham brings to light subtle yet pressing signs of political division that are present throughout Northern Ireland. The beautiful images of the Irish landscape are given dire meaning and speak a strong message alongside the essays of the book’s author. The true depiction of patriotism and the love that shines from a country is seen through its land, landscapes, architecture, and treatment of the land, in the same ways troubles in a nation are reflected on its territory. Through his revolutionary lens, Graham portrays a side of Northern Ireland that is mostly hidden from the general public, while the land is filled with beautiful landscapes many aspects that manifest the true state of the nation are ignored in hopes of painting an idealized picture of the area. Paul Graham uses his power as an author and the power of photography as a cultural and social medium as a tool to expose the media conditioning that affects the area known as The Troubles which split from Ireland in 1921.

Paul Graham, "P.R.O.VO.S' (Provisional IRA Graffiti), Newry, 1985', from Troubled Land (MACK,2022). Courtesy of the artist and MACK.

In many of the photographs present throughout the book, the breathtaking sceneries of Northern Ireland are upstaged by disheveled political posters, littered garbage, dissipating green terrain, and graffiti, while still showcasing aspects of the beautifully constructed country that is expected from photographs. One of the most striking images to me is Graffiti, Ballysillan Estate, Belfast (1986). At first glance, the conspicuous “BEWARE” graffiti notice stands out because of its neon industrial orange. In this photograph, we see the manifestation of a suburb-like community of homes, each with grey roofing, and white outer walls, atop a concrete floor that has been layered over the picturesque Irish grasses. While this is not a phenomenon we are unaccustomed to in modern society, in this context this view is not one we would necessarily expect from the area. A mundane endless horizon of overdevelopped land. Could the graffiti artist be warning against the dangers or media conditioning which hides the realities of a modern nation? 

Paul Graham, 'Union Jack Flag in Tree, County Tyrone, 1985', from Troubled Land (MACK,2022). Courtesy of the artist and MACK.

Having a similar effect on the reader is ‘Eternity Where?’, Ballymoney – Ballymena Road, County Antrim (1985). In this image the common thread in the chosen images for the book is outstanding. The overarching subject of the photograph are the bent trees hwose foliage form a magical arch over the concrete road, guarding the vast fields behind them. On the foregrounded tree a sign reads “ETERNITY WHERE” from which Graham has captured the message of the picture. On the road, a military truck that seems to be filled with supplies, maybe even people makes its way forward out of the frame of the camera. This war-like image is one of angst and uncertainty. Where is the truck headed? Where has it come from? And what are the reasons for its outting in such a peaceful environment?

Paul Graham, 'Graffiti, Ballysillan Estate, Belfast, 1986', from Troubled Land (MACK,2022). Courtesy of the artist and MACK.

Each image shows a different sides of the Trouble Lands of Northern Ireland which without authors ans artists such as Paul Graham would receive no media coverage in hopes of painting a romanticized narrative about the realities of the nation’s state and the effects of its political conflicts. Graham’s focus on the area of Bellfast came about by coincidence, when the artist decided to take an older road rather than the active motorway. The expedition revealed much to Graham about “the dark parts of my nation’s colonialist past, as well as confusion at the roiling politics of the North, with its opposing groups and sub-groups, acronyms and allegiances.” (Graham, 40) Through his words and photography skills, Graham is able to capture only a glimpse of the events for his readers.

Paul Graham, 'Army Stop and Search Warrenpoint, 1986', from Troubled Land (MACK,2022). Courtesy of the artist and MACK.

Weekend Portfolio: Kourtney Roy

Weekend Portfolio: Kourtney Roy

The 8th Triennial of Photography Hamburg

The 8th Triennial of Photography Hamburg