A young Irish photographer with Galway roots is making a name for himself on the European stage – with a new book that offers a different twist on elections!
Mark Duffy had already been shortlisted for a number of prestigious awards before taking first prize at the Vienna PhotoBook 2015 for his new collection – with an original approach to the world of politics.
His book, Vote No.1, examines the culture of election advertising in Ireland. The images reflect the Irish electorate’s increasing disillusionment with the political process after years of harshening austerity politics
Born and raised in Galway, the Duffy family later moved to Athlone and Mark is now based in London.
However, his roots remain in Galway where his paternal grandmother, Peggy Duffy, still lives in St. Bridget’s Terrace in the city, at the ripe old age of 92.
Mark learned his craft from studying photography at IADT, Dún Laoghaire. After college, the young graduate, like so many others, emigrated to the buzzing metropolis of London to carve a career for himself. He has been residing in London ever since.
His PhotoBook, Vote No.1 focuses on the accidental, and often gruesome, disfigurements the electoral candidates’ faces suffer – an unintended consequence of their posters’ erection.
The idea came about after a trip home during the 2014 local election, Mark noticed a stark change in scenery – the city had changed face – festooned by thousands election posters.
Indeed, a visit to his beloved grandmother in Galway was to prove a source of inspiration for the creative photojournalist.
“The project actually started in Galway. The first photo I took was outside my granny Peggy’s house off Prospect Hill,” he said.
Inspiration came when Mark saw the large and disfigured image of a politician etched onto the side of a car.
The skewed portrait, he felt, was reflective of the political mood at that time. In a post-recession, disillusioned society, the smiles of politicians appeared disingenuous and somewhat sinister.
Following this ‘eureka’ moment, a heightened sense of awareness overcame Mark and he began to notice interestingly warped and disfigured faces all over the city.
“I saw a poster on the side of the road with a female candidate whose neck was punctured by the plastic tie holding it in place. It just looked so inch-perfect that it almost looked intentional. Then I just started seeing them everywhere … every lamppost covered with multiple candidates faces all vying for your attention,” he explains.
“The project was driven by humour and individualism,” he says, stressing .the focus was on accidental disfigurements’.
And he’s quick to point out – ‘posters were not altered or vandalised during the making of this series!’
With a watchful eye and camera in hand, the young photographer captured a handful of stills before flying to London.
On return, he mulled over the concept of a political-themed PhotoBook. “Straight away, the idea was for a book,” he says.
Whilst in London, Mark feared that “the idea was so straightforward, somebody else was bound to come up with it if I didn’t do something now” – and with that, he booked an immediate return flight to Ireland to see his project through to completion.
Addressing the rather Tarantino-esque brutal looking disfigurements, he says: “They were so perfectly placed – it was almost like it had been done by a disgruntled employee”.
‘Vote No.1’ has featured in various competitions and exhibitions across Europe, taking first prize at the Vienna PhotoBook Award 2015; this collection was also shortlisted for the prestigious LUMA Rencontres Dummy Book Award 2015.
Unfortunately he was forced to withdraw from the LUMA competition having won the Vienna PhotoBook Award.
“I’ve received great feedback from industry people,” he says.
He admits that it’s a niche market – but ‘Vote No.1’ has a print run of 500, a very healthy number within this exclusive market.
The special edition limited run of 100 is photographed by Harald Latzko and handmade by Mark, using recycled corriboard election posters and bound with cable ties.
“Essentially the book is bound by its very subject matter,” he observes. The remaining 400 are printed in hardback copies.
The success of this collection has helped establish his name both at home and abroad.
RTÉ’s former London editor, Brian O’Connell launched the London event, held at The Photographers’ Gallery in Soho. The Irish leg was held in Gallery of Photography, Temple Bar, and was launched by David Davin-Power, political correspondent for RTÉ.
The book was presented to An Taoiseach, at a recent 1916 event held in London, attended by David Cameron.
Last week, to Mark’s surprise a letter arrived from Oifig an Taoisigh – a thank you letter from Enda, himself: “I very much enjoyed my visit to the Photographer’s Gallery in London last week and I was delighted to receive a gift of your book ‘Vote No.1’”
“Your photographs certainly show election posters in a different light!” wrote the Fine Gael leader.
The timing seemed a little ironic, according to Mark, who jokingly remarked: “That’s the reason why the election date was held back – he had to reassess his campaign strategy!”
To check out Mark’s work visit his website
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