Brian Cooney

Brian Cooney

Born Year, Month, Day (Location)
Website briancooneyphotography.net

In 2012 returning to live in Ireland’s west, Brian found a society that was reeling from the post Celtic–Tiger era crash. The future seemed very uncertain with constant threats to the economic and social fabric of the state.

Historically the landscape of the west of Ireland has been regarded as an inspirational symbol for audiences here in Ireland and also abroad. During times of uncertainty it has been a symbol that we, as a nation, have continually returned to for comfort and reassurance.

Around this time the Irish tourist board began to run a concerted advertising campaign for the now ubiquitous Wild Atlantic Way. The Wild Atlantic Way is a registered trade mark that was established to brand and market Ireland. The images used in the marketing campaign have a distinctly romantic rhetoric and continue a well established narrative which frame perspectives of the west and of Ireland.¹

Projects

No Place Like Home (2019)

Historically the landscape of the West of Ireland has been regarded as an inspirational symbol for audiences at home and abroad. During times of economic uncertainty it has been a symbol that we, as a nation, have continually returned to for comfort.

In 2012 when returning to live in the West, Brian came home to a society that was reeling from the economic crash of 2008. The future seemed very uncertain with constant threats to the economic and social stability of the country. Around this time the Irish Tourist Board began to run a concerted advertising campaign for the now ubiquitous Wild Atlantic Way. The images used in the campaign have a distinctly romantic rhetoric that continue a well established narrative about the West of Ireland. This work explores and questions that narrative and how it shapes different perspectives on the west.

Originally from Dublin, Brian Cooney now lives in rural Co. Sligo. His latest body of work is concerned with the West of Ireland, the way it is idealised and used as an inspirational symbol to influence Irish audiences and to sell Ireland abroad. It was sparked by his return to live in rural Ireland in 2012.