The Rise After Sundown: Belfast’s Late Night Art Scene
By Cara Collins
The warm glow of a collective desire to feel the artistic experience within Belfast, can be felt walking through the city every first Thursday of the month. “Late Night Art” as a monthly celebration has grown massively in popularity, allowing an informal face-to-face mixing between artists, creators and those local to the scene or those simply visiting. Wandering through the cobbled streets surrounding St Anne’s Cathedral, the bustling of galleries inviting you in is seen in every glance.
Every month a new collection of art and media is explored through several galleries located in Belfast city centre, and I went to what was offered for February and March.
As a self-guided experience, I was able to pace the structure of my night, focusing on the galleries I wanted to visit while simultaneously being able to enjoy the art that I hadn’t planned to see. Every gallery is laid out differently, most with free drinks offered to really top off the experience (and making me feel very sophisticated).
My first stop was Vault Artist Studios, where I ventured in anticipation to see Bag of Excuses by Sinead O’Neill-Nicholl and Gemma Mae Halligan. This multi-media installation was one I had seen advertised and had immediately caught my eye due to the imperative and real subject matter. The room was drenched with sound and a vibrant red colour. This piece was inspired by the research of Professor Jane Monckton Smith and was an exploration of the femicide within Northern Ireland and the increasing threat of violence against its women and girls. The installation was raw and captured the urgency to the crisis we are facing; the emotion felt in the expression and movements of the performers, combined with the jarring and honest accounts taken from the BBC Sounds Podcast “Assume Nothing: 8 steps to stop a murder”, brought out visceral, unbridled emotion in everyone present. It was heavy, and at times difficult to stomach, proving to me how important it is to bring light to these issues. I left feeling awed at the talent and courage of the artists.
I then ventured to Arcade Studios, where I was met with a photographic document called Two Cranes by Philip Arneill. Various photos of several Chinese takeaway restaurants scattered throughout Belfast, displaying the ever-lasting longevity of their presence within a city still so defined by political and cultural divide. Seeing my local Chinese at Late Night Art was definitely not expected, however, I was so pleasantly surprised at how much I felt a connection to this exhibit. Arneill brings a beautiful awareness to the lack of acknowledgement Belfast has for these businesses and for the Chinese community as a whole.
The final display was during the Late Night Art in March, where I went to Belfast Exposed to see Portrait of Belfast: Part II. I had seen part one and was anticipating seeing the new edition. This photographic project involves several different photographers and artists capturing the contemporary nature of Belfast. It featured over 300 black and white photographs, that explore the community and diversity within Belfast, highlight the vibrant characters in the city. I could’ve spent hours sitting, staring and admiring the portraits of all genders, age, ethnicities and areas of life that were represented. From familiar faces I recognised like members of Kneecap and Esmerelda Road, to complete strangers I felt like I knew; the vastness of human experience captured brought a sense of comfort and familiarity to me. Knowing that all these different people shared one thing in common – Belfast.
Late Night Art is such a key aspect to the arts scene in Belfast and continues to allow such incredible artists to platform their work to a much broader audience. The atmosphere is always glowing and could not be more welcoming, so I really do promote and encourage even those who have no interest in art to give it a go. The community created by heading into town every first Thursday of every month, has me looking forward to what the next few will bring.
More information about Late Night Art can be found at: https://belfastartmap.com/
