Vermont Center for Photography

Currently in the gallery

Irish Travellers, Tinkers No More

Alen MacWeeney

Dublin-born, New York-based photographer Alen MacWeeney returned to Ireland in 1965 and embarked on a series of portraits of the nomad families known as “travellers” that would consume him for nearly five years. MacWeeney’s black and white images recall Dorothea Lange’s sharecroppers, Josef Koudelka’s gypsies and classic photo reportage by Gordon Parks, Bruce Davidson, and Danny Lyon.

MacWeeney’s original photographs will be shown at the VCP Gallery during the months of June and July. The opening reception for this exhibit is Friday, June 5 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., in conjunction with the Brattleboro’s gallery Walk. The exhibition runs from June 5 through August 2.

Alen MacWeeney will be present at the opening and a limited number of his books, now out of print, will be available at the Gallery, signed by the photographer.

In addition, Alen will be giving a talk and a showing of his his film, called “Travellers” at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center on Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. The film shows Alen returning to Ireland last year to find the people he photographed over 40 years ago. In the film, we meet them and hear how their lives have changed. The running time for the film is about 48 minutes. There will be an opportunity for questions following the film. The event will be at Brattleboro Museum and Arts Center (BMAC) at 10 Vernon Street, Brattleboro. Admission is free for VCP and BMAC members, and $6 for non-BMAC members. Discount for children and seniors.