Do not lose faith!Translated from UkrainianOlessia KucherRead the letter ↗
SAOLNUA
Saol Nua · Irish for “New life”
The refugee experience in Ireland.
Photographs & letters.
ARTIST’S STATEMENTSAOL
NUA
NUA
Michael Sugrue
From the exhibition booklet, 2024.
Saol Nua, an Irish term meaning “new life”, was conceived to show that a refugee is not always what you think.
The factors that lead people to uproot their lives for pure uncertainty are as diverse as the people themselves. Whether social, political, economical or meteorological, we all have our reasons for living where we do. The individuals portrayed in these images are no different than you or me. We’re all on the same journey.
A note of thanks +
This selection is a very small sample of a larger body of work.
I’m eternally grateful to each of the participants for their trust, their willingness to share their stories, and their endless optimism.
Special thanks to Wendy Muperi, Rory O’Neill, Deirdre Mullen, Nick Henderson and Ciara Ross from the Irish Refugee Council for their trust, and for their tireless efforts at bringing this project to life.
— Michael Sugrue, 22 June 2024
Out in
the world.
Three posters from the exhibition.
Words and photographs, made physical.
THE EXHIBITION BOOKLETA place to
A place to
keep the stories.
The exhibition booklet, page by page.
Open the booklet PDF ↗Pages 02–03 / 12
PRESENTED BY
WITH
PRODUCED BYThe Mayrose Future Company