ABOUT
I am a photographic artist from Dublin, Ireland. My work treats a number of contemporary issues such as surveillance, artificial intelligence, consumerism and modern technologies. The appropriation of digital images from public sources such as webcams, GaN systems or online databases is an important feature of my practice, as these methods have the ability to reveal the hidden, underlying networks in society.
The lack of materiality of the digital image is also important to me. I collect images in abundance, shaping and moulding them into bodies of work. This working method was used for my books State of Security (2020), T.H.E.M.: The Heuristic Electric Machine (2020-2021) and Chief Designer (2021-2021). Drawing upon online archives, I equally experiment with photographic printing processes in order to enhance the tactile nature of the images and challenge the boundaries between the material and the immaterial.
Nominations and Awards
Photo Museum Ireland, Emerging Artist Award, 2022. Available at: Photo Museum Ireland Instagram
Fingal Recent Graduate Artist in Residence, MART Studios. 2022. Shortlisted.
Paris Photo Student Carte Blanche, 2022, Shortlisted. Available at: Paris Photo Website
RADAR graduate support programme, 2022, PhotoIreland, Nominated
RDS Visual Art Awards, 2022, Longlisted
STATEMENT OF ETHICS
As a Photographer, I try to make work in good faith that represents my own ethical and moral beliefs. This means that any photograph I take, informed consent is given from the subject, knowing both the image is being taken and the context it will be used in. When taking images of people where this is not an option, as for State of Security (2020), I make sure that the subject is completely anonymous. I work to respect the people that are in my images.
When working with generated imagery, I make sure there is no copyright on images generated from software. I use software that is available to all. When working with found images I use public archives as the basis for sourcing images. With Images found outside of archives I make sure that they are in the public domain.
I am also conscious of the environmental impact of photography. I try to minimise this impact with the equipment and photographic process whichever way I can. I understand photography has a power that I intend to use with respect and care for the subject. When mistakes are made I will endeavour to learn and grow from these as ethics are an ever evolving process.
PUBLICATIONS
(2022) ‘”l’Expo de Chiotte”, la surprenante itinérance photographique qui fait la tournée des bars’. Midi Libre. Online. Available at: Midi Libre Website
(2022) ‘Expo de Chiotte’. Radio Muge. Online. Available at: Radio Muge Website
(2022) ‘New Generation Graduates’. Irish Arts Review. Autumn Edition.
Sexton, A. (2018). ‘Ireland is a Different Country‘. Hot Press. 42(08).
McGoran, P. (2018). ’10 Landmark Moments Marked by Hot Press on the Road to Repeal’. Hot Press. 42(08).
Grá Design (2017) Legacy. Coláiste Dhúlaigh. View on Issuu
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023, Glasgow Gallery of Photography, Monochrome International Photography Exhibition. Glasgow, Scotland.
2022, LoosenArt, Progress. On Contemporary and Future Society, Rome, Italy. Available at: LoosenArt Website
2022, Expo De Chiotte, Séte, France. Available at: Expo De Chiotte Instagram
2022 Irish Arts review: New Generation Gallery. Available at: Irish Arts Review Website
2022 TUDublin Graduate exhibition, ‘Chief Designer’
2021 TUDublin Street exhibition. ‘State of Security’
2017 Gallery of Photography. CDCFE student Graduate Exhibition.
Luke Ryan 