March 2002
Spotlight: Ireland
Ireland's Many Graces
by Ellen Kamilakis
March 2002—Spotlight: Ireland
Ireland's Many Graces
by Ellen Kamilakis
This photo journal by Ellen Kamilakis contains both photos and prose. All photography was taken by the author, and all prose was written by the author. Click on the images below to open Ellen's photo journal in a new window.
Rather than take traditional landscape shots to chronicle my journey across Ireland, I chose to focus on one subject: Grace. She is an Irish citizen whose citizenship is questioned daily due to her complexion. Once I opened my mouth, the locals knew I was American, but insisted she was also. Living with deep conflict, she tries to fit in with her conservative Muslim family as well as with her contemporary Irish friends. I tried to document her internal turmoil by photographing her in all contexts. Some pictures are provocative: indicative of her struggle to claim her own sexuality. Some pictures are innocuous: indicative of her ability to blend in with the local culture. One thing remains constant: these photographs are all real images of Grace.
"Is that you?" Ballybrack, Co Dublin "Discoveries" Ballybrack, Co Dublin "I can see Hanes" Ballybrack, Co Dublin "Smiling about Pobbie" Ballybrack, Co Dublin "Conquering Killiney Hill" Killiney, Co Dublin "On the N6" Ballinasloe, Co Galway "Don't Speak!" Ballybrack, Co Dublin "The realization of guilt" Ballybrack, Co Dublin "All mine" Ballybrack, Co Dublin "Good Afternoon?" Ballybrack, Co Dublin
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