An art exhibition in Pilot's Row attracted many to observe the works of a local Derry artist reflecting the troubled times the city has faced.
This event marked the beginning of a week of talks, exhibitions and events organised by the Bloody Sunday March for Justice, leading up to the 51st anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
The art exhibition was opened in the Eden Place Arts Centre inside Pilot's Row Community Centre on Monday, January 23, and will run until February 1.
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The exhibition was opened by Eamonn McCann and Derry artist Paul Ruairi Devine aka 'SquareBear', both of whom reflected on the cultural significance of the artistic pieces.
Eamonn McCann said: "It is very rare to go to any work of art or any collection of art pieces and look at them and realise that what they are about is just outside. We have representations here of outside this door. Standing here is an imaginative representations of ourselves and our own experiences.
"I think that is a unique experience to be in, it gives us a buzz of reality which you don’t normally get from a work of art. That is a very valuable thing. When we talk about the site of Bloody Sunday and the history of this area and what it stands for and the culture of the area, it is represented here.
"When people say it is time to leave Bloody Sunday in the past, I can understand that, people have their lives to live and families to raise and we can’t expect them to look back all the time. But my interpretation of the exhibition is that it is not over.
"If you talk to people they can say ‘I was standing there when it happened’, ‘I saw it happening’. It is real, it is not something that is distant. This does what all art should do which is to give an imaginative representation.
"This is to be contemplated and thought about individually while remembering that Bloody Sunday was a community event in it’s own horrible way. It did not just happen to one person.
"It was a moment when the horror of Northern Ireland imploded in the heart of our area right outside here and we felt the full horror of it. This is an invaluable addition to a cultural heritage of Derry and this particular area of the city."
Paul said: "When I was first asked to do this in the memory of Stephen Gargan, he first asked me to do an exhibition and then he sadly passed away and I felt a certain trepidation about doing this because it is hardcore and close to the community. But then I started looking at my own family history, how my granda trained with Jackie Duddy and his brothers, Gerard Donaghy died right beside where I live and grew up and my family were in the house that day.
"Then I realised there is a voice I can bring to this, a contemporary voice and I felt as if we nailed it for Stephen in his memory. And I'd like to give Don Murray some credit for his piece in the exhibition, he has really stolen the show."
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