Belfast Exposed is pleased to present new work by Canadian artist Sylvia Grace Borda.

Borda is interested in exploring the architectural legacy of Modernism in Northern Ireland and has made a photographic survey of its Modernist churches. Produced over 2 years, Churches is an extensive photographic typology, which forms a contemporary portrait of Northern Ireland, and its unchronicled Modernist past.

Modernist civic buildings in Northern Ireland have been characteristically imposing, adopting brutalist architectural strategies. Many of its Modernist churches however have aspired to be ethereal and open. These designs reflected the Modernist 1960s idea that architecture had a potential, through spatial openness, to improve social and political lives. Modernist churches employed architectural designs that did not privilege one particular faith over another. It is almost impossible to examine the structural form of many churches and readily distinguish the associated faith.

Churches will be an exhibition in 3 parts: a video projection of over 100 images of different Modernist churches photographed across Northern Ireland; an installation of photo-printed, ceramic plates, entitled ‘Coming to the Table’ and a display of ceramic plates from official NI public collections. The ceramic element relates to the traditional souvenir, and its popularity as a token of remembrance, often associated with travel and the depiction of picturesque locales.

As a Canadian-born artist who has lived and worked in Northern Ireland for a number of years, Borda is interested in re-addressing national and international public views of Northern Ireland, and questioning familiar and often stereotypical representations of its landscape, built environment and cultural heritage.

Churches is supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council and the Department of Social Development.