Photographers' work to go on show in Ulster Museum

It follows the launch of ‘From The Power Station To the Light Switch’ exhibition at Stormont, which features studies from Larne Grammar School and St Killian’s College.

The images were produced through workshops undertaken with Belfast Exposed facilitators Mervyn Smyth and Abby McCracken. Students looked at how power is made, how it is transferred and how it is used within their schools.

Speaking at the launch, which was held at the in the Long Gallery, Stormont, Carla Tully, CEO OF AES UK & Ireland, said: “Improving lives and making a lasting difference in the communities in which our businesses operate is at the core of AES’ mission. Our ongoing partnership with Belfast Exposed supports skills development for young people as well as helping them to understand how AES keeps Northern Ireland’s lights on.”

Over the course of the programme, which also involved Carrick Grammar School and Ulidia Integrated College, both Kilroot and Ballylumford power stations were visited.

The pupils also took part in a location photoshoot in their local area and an editing workshop at Belfast Exposed Gallery.

Tracy Marshall-Elliott, director of Belfast Exposed, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership  with AES on this project which is pulling together local schools, industry and art in a amalgamation of skills, learning and creativity.”

Ulidia Integrated College said it was as an excellent opportunity for the pupils who learned valuable skills in photography and Photoshop editing.

Pointing out that the students’ work will move onto the Ulster Museum in April, the school added: “It’s not often that a young person can say their work has been displayed in the Ulster Museum and Stormont.”

The exhibition launch was sponsored by East Antrim Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson, who said he was “incredibly impressed”.

The Assembly member commented: “Belfast Exposed was founded in 1983 by a group of amateur photographers documenting the social and political landscape of Northern Ireland. Of course in 1983, Belfast and Northern Ireland were very different places, and happily I think we can all agree we are in a much better social and political position today, despite the problems we continue to face.

“This main focus trails the story our electricity from the power station to the light switch, looking in depth at the power station, how electricity is generated, and indeed how we use it: something we often take for granted and rarely think about.”