Book review — Don’t Mention the War (Vicky Cosstick) by Allan LEONARD 5 March 2019 Don’t Mention the War is an e-book by Vicky Cosstick, published by ChangeAware in association with Northern Slant, that aims to explore aspects of legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland in a set of five chapters covering the peace process, … Continue reading Book review — Don’t Mention the War (Vicky Cosstick)
Book review — Bobby Sands (Yan Morvan) by Allan LEONARD 11 October 2018 Sorj Chalandon ends his foreword with a question from Bobby Sands’ memorial card: “Will tomorrow be remembered?” He is with Bobby Sands, a photobook by Yan Morvan. https://youtu.be/20VVWz6XtVo It is said that a journalist creates the first draft of history, and Morvan’s … Continue reading Book review — Bobby Sands by Yan Morvan
Book review: A Job to Love (The School of Life) by Allan LEONARD 28 April 2018 I acquired A Job to Love by The School of Life (founder and chairman, Alain DE BOTTON) when I had pretty much decided to enter the job market of the freelancer. So perhaps this read was for self-affirmation. The … Continue reading Book review: A Job to Love (The School of Life)
Review: The Enlightenment: A Very Short Introduction (John ROBERTSON) by Allan LEONARD for Mr Ulster 1 May 2017 The Enlightenment is one of Oxford University Press’s “Very Short Introductions” series; there are over 400 volumes. Written by experts, they “are for anyone wanting a stimulating and accessible way into a new subject”. Professor John Robertson’s … Continue reading Book review – The Enlightenment: A Very Short Introduction (John ROBERTSON)
I have read most of de Botton's books, and The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work took me the longest to finish, partly because I am a slow reader, but I blame more on the editing. The chapters are his brief immersions in ten jobs, across the professions. While absorbing his philosophical reflections was at times illuminating, … Continue reading Book review – The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work (Alain de BOTTON)
Failed It! by Erik Kessels is an easy read of his encouragement of embracing failure as a means of revealing a better discovery. He intersperses his quips with visual inspirations, from both the intentional (by seasoned artists) and the unintentional (by reconsidering the work of some amateurs). The strength of this short book is demonstrating … Continue reading Book review — Failed It!
René Magritte was the first artist that I identified with -- particularly his sense of humour yet thought provoking presentations of surrealism. One of my favourites paintings of his -- and one of his more famous ones -- is Ceci n'est pas une pipe, because literally it is not a pipe; it is an image … Continue reading Book review — A visit with Magritte (Duane Michals)
What happens when you ask an online chat room how to make a home? In an interview-style format with about 50 people attending, Belfast Exposed Curator Ciara Hickey asked artist Jan McCullough to share her journey. Home Instruction Manual is the product of the Internet. That is, while Jan McCullough is the author of this … Continue reading Surrendering one’s identity to the internet: Home Instruction Manual
John Hume: Irish peacemaker. Discuss. by Allan LEONARD for Shared Future News 15 December 2015 Sean Farren and Denis Haughey have edited a new book, John Hume: Irish Peacemaker, published by Four Courts Press. As part of this book launch, there is a series of panel discussions, for which this event took place at the … Continue reading John Hume: Irish peacemaker. Discuss.
Women of Vision accompanies a travelling exhibition of the same title, curated by National Geographic. Both celebrate the work of eleven inspiring female photojournalists, featuring nearly 100 images, ranging from social issues, effects of war, and changes in our natural habitats. Renowned American news journalist, Ann Curry, begins the foreword with words, “Henri Cartier-Bresson, considered … Continue reading Book review — Women of Vision (National Geographic)
The British Life Photography Awards: Portfolio 1 is a catalogue book of the winners and finalists of an inaugural event "to capture and share" the perspectives of photographers from all walks of life. The inspiration for the contest comes from the "amazing democratisation" of photography in the 21st century. Homer Sykes, a self-described documentary photographer … Continue reading Book review — British Life Photography Awards
I have not studied photography formally, but take solace that many of the 100 photographers featured in this thorough volume of the urban landscape and its people have learned their craft from the harsh realities of the street. Nevertheless I may be utterly under-qualified to provide a meaningful critique of this very considered book, The … Continue reading Book review — World Atlas of Street Photography (Jackie Higgins)
