"Portraits of Belonging: Faces of Northern Ireland"

About

This photography project, titled "Portraits of Belonging: Faces of Northern Ireland", brings together three immigrant photographers - Lucas Ludziejewski, Lucas Malec, and Natalia Grela - who have built lives in Northern Ireland and share a passion for capturing the human stories that define this region.

Their goal is to document the unique faces of the people who live in Northern Ireland, whether they were born there or have arrived from elsewhere. With an eye for interesting and compelling faces, the trio seeks out individuals whose lives and experiences reflect the diverse fabric of the community. While many of their portraits are taken on the streets, their work extends to a variety of settings, from urban corners to intimate homes.

Each photographer's personal background and challenges shape the project:

Lucas Ludziejewski, a successful IT management professional, works in a company that leverages Artificial Intelligence to create positive change in the world. In his spare time, Lucas turns his focus to photography, a creative outlet that allows him to capture life's fleeting moments. His work spans weddings, family portraits, and events, but for this project, he is drawn to the spontaneity of street photography. He focuses on portraying Northern Ireland's people in their everyday environments - whether it's a vendor at a street market, a child playing in a park, or a couple sharing a quiet moment. His technical skills and artistic eye lend his work a polished yet authentic feel, and his portraits often reflect the same hopefulness and innovation he brings to his career in AI.

Lucas Malec, despite running his own business, struggles with mobility due to a health condition that forces him to rely on a walking frame or wheelchair at times. His physical challenges have influenced his photographic perspective, often leading him to observe the world from different angles - both physically and emotionally. His portraits focus on resilience and inner strength, often capturing people during moments of introspection or struggle. Lucas has a talent for revealing the quiet dignity in his subjects, and his own personal journey of overcoming adversity is mirrored in the people he chooses to photograph. His work adds a deeper, more personal narrative to the project.

Natalia Grela, a full-time mother, balances family life with her love for photography, shooting weddings and intimate gatherings when she can. Her approach to photography is patient and nurturing, and this sensitivity comes through in her portraits. She is drawn to capturing the emotional connections between people - whether it's a parent and child, an elderly couple, or friends chatting on a bench. Natalia's ability to notice and highlight tender moments gives her portraits a warmth and depth that reflects the familial and communal bonds she values in her own life.

Together, the three photographers share a common goal: to show the humanity in everyone they meet, regardless of background, age, or circumstance. They roam the streets of Northern Ireland's cities and towns, but they also seek out people in quieter, more private spaces - gardens, homes, and workplaces - creating a rich mix of portraits that reflect the multifaceted lives of Northern Ireland's residents. Their subjects include everyone from lifelong locals to recent immigrants, from the young to the elderly, each with their own story.
While their work celebrates the diversity of the people they photograph, the project is also deeply personal for the photographers themselves. Living in Northern Ireland, all three have faced the challenges of adapting to a new environment, including the impact of the region's often gloomy weather. Photography serves as a vital outlet for them, a way to combat the depression that can come with long, grey winters. For Ludziejewski, Malec, and Grela, the act of capturing light and human connection through their lenses is more than just art - it's a way of finding joy, purpose, and belonging.

"Portraits of Belonging" is a visual exploration of the human condition in Northern Ireland, seen through the eyes of three individuals who have embraced photography as a way of life. It's about resilience, diversity, and the small, meaningful moments that make us feel connected - to each other and to the places we call home. Through their portraits, Ludziejewski, Malec, and Grela invite viewers to see the beauty and complexity in the people around them, offering a glimpse into the souls of Northern Ireland's inhabitants, one portrait at a time.

The exhibition will be on display from Friday 8th until Friday 29th November 2024 and includes Saturday opening on 9th November.