Belfast Exposed and the Arab British Centre are pleased to present ‘Murmur’ by Ben Malcolmson, an artist in the Belfast Exposed Futures programme. Ben was awarded to be a part of Making Marks by the Arab British Centre, an exciting project exploring the impact of international working on emerging artists. ‘Making Marks’ facilitated group visits for nominated artists to Kuwait and the UK, offering funding for creative, community engagement programmes under the project’s themes. ‘Murmur’ delves into the connection of migration and selfhood, looking at the subtle changing relationship within one’s identity and nature. ‘Murmur’ questions our faint sense of belonging in the landscape from which we are woven.

Travelling to Kuwait, the sense of an all-consuming social identity within young Kuwaitis, resulted in the comparison of Ben’s native land – influenced by layers of historic conflict prominent within both regions. These elements resulted in reflecting upon a personal sense of identity within the Northern Irish landscape.

Through the experimentation of materiality, he follows his lineage through the Northern Irish landscape, in hopes of uncovering a deeper sense of understanding of my homeland and myself.

Dates and Times

Exhibition Opening: 6 February | 6 – 9pm

Exhibition dates: 6 – 29 February 2020

Free entry, open Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 5pm

About the Artist

Ben Malcolmson (b.1999) is a photographer born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and currently based in The Hague, Netherlands. His practice deals with communication of the landscape, looking at the familiar and psychological complexities of the self with performative-based elements as an undertone.

Ben Malcolmson has worked with Belfast Exposed, participating in the Young Futures programme working as an instructor for galleries summer scheme as well as an invigilator. Work from Ben’s most recent project was featured in Belfast Exposed Futures Gallery ‘The Collective’. Recently, Ben was awarded to be a part of ‘Making Marks’ by the Arab British Centre, funded by the British Council. Ben’s recent residency to Kuwait was one stage in the ‘Making Marks’ project, from this, Ben will be working with Belfast Exposed for next number of months for a solo show with the gallery in Spring 2020.

‘Murmur’ at Belfast Exposed is generously supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, British Council and The Arab British Centre.