Introduction
‘Every Picture Tells A Story’ has been compiled during three years work at the WAVE Trauma Centre. The exhibits on display are from around seventy young people aged five to twenty-five that have attended the centre during this period. Many lost a close family relative in shootings or bombings, others experienced various levels of intimidation; all of those that took part have been affected in some way by the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland.
For some, the project was an opportunity to share a little bit about those experiences while others decided not to, but allowed us to discover other aspects of their lives, such as human rights issues that mattered to them, or the difficulties of building relationships in a divided society.
The exhibits are not presented for their commercial value but they have become priceless in terms of a process that allowed children and young people to share their truth about atrocities committed against them.
In total, eight different projects make up ‘Every Picture Tells A Story’. All the projects utilised various forms of art to explore personal thoughts and feelings about life experiences in Northern Ireland. The art forms used include photography, painting, ceramics, puppet-making and video. Not all the work produced is presented in this book or indeed the Exhibition that accompanies it, however the exhibits used represent a cross-section of experiences that were shared.
Several artists and youth workers were involved during the three year period and a special word of thanks is given to them at the back of the book. However, WAVE would particularly like to acknowledge the help given by the Ormeau Baths Gallery, specifically Alice McCartney who facilitated much of what you see. Some art galleries have perhaps at times not been young people friendly, and sometimes for good reason—thousands of pounds of art on the walls does not make a suitable playground for children. In this regard, WAVE appreciates the patience and dedication of the staff at the OBG that made the production of ‘Every Picture Tells A Story’ a reality.
Take time to reflect on the images and the comments before you—they tell us something of the hurt and pain endured by so many children and young people but also send out a message that these events should never be repeated.
Youth Team, WAVE Trauma Centre,
18 November 2003
