Punk records and a football shirt on display in Troubles exhibition at Dunree

An exhibition featuring objects offering a glimpse into the everyday lives and memories of those who lived through the conflict in Northern Ireland is being hosted by Artlink at Fort Dunree.

The Everyday Objects Transformed by Conflict exhibition, which runs until the beginning of March, brings together a unique range of views, experiences and everyday stories through a variety of loaned objects and their accompanying labels, all written by the owners of the objects. 

Martha McCulloch of Artlink highlights the particular nature of Fort Dunree as a venue for the Exhibition:  "Artlink is thrilled to contribute its support to this significant exhibition, delving into the everyday lives and memories of those who experienced the Northern Ireland conflict. Fort Dunree attracts a diverse audience, ranging from locals who frequent the site regularly to one-off international visitors. Some come to enjoy a stroll in nature, others to explore the military museum, and many to appreciate Artlink's exhibitions, so it will be interesting to gather their reactions. Embracing a multitude of perspectives is crucial in nurturing peace, and this exhibition offers an opportunity to engage with these varied stories." 

The Exhibition is managed by Healing Through Remembering, a Belfast-based cross-community organisation, and has been travelling widely since 2012. 

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Cate Turner, director of Healing Through Remembering, explains: “We are delighted to bring the Everyday Objects Exhibition to the Saldanha Gallery at Fort Dunree. The dramatic landscape and the careful layout of the exhibition by Artlink create a thoughtful space for us all to consider how the conflict-affected people’s everyday lives. We believe it’s important that this Exhibition visits the border region as the impact of the conflict was felt in different ways in different places and it is essential to acknowledge this diversity of experiences.” 

Objects include punk records, a football shirt, a milk bottle and a tennis ball, which all took on a different meaning during the conflict years. The objects and their labels reveal stories of resistance, peace, anxiety, loss, violence, humour, commemoration and hope. They invite viewers to explore their own life experiences and to understand and appreciate different beliefs and perspectives of the conflict. They can also resonate with many visitors, regardless of whether or not they lived through the experiences depicted. 

Everyday Objects Transformed by the Conflict will be on display in the Saldanha Gallery at Fort Dunree until March 6, Monday to Friday 10:30am to 4:30pm. 

Public events around the exhibition include a creative writing workshop on Saturday, February 10 and a guided tour on Saturday 24 February.