Artist Statement
Christy Mc Namara was born in Drumbaniff Crusheen Co Clare Ireland. He is a Photographic Artist and Traditional Irish Musician playing the Button Accordion and Concertina as well as being a Singer, Composer and Story Teller..
Growing up in a family of 8 children he comes from a family steeped in tradition with a rich vein of traditional music running in his own Family on both sides for generations. He first learned his music from listening at home in Drumbaniff to his Father Joe and from his uncle Paddy, Grandfather Jim and extended family and then the music community at large of his native Co Clare.
He has been working as a full time Photographic Artist for almost 20 years and in this time has amassed a substantial body of work as well as gaining World Wide Recognition for his distinctive style, approach and subject matter.
He has documented Rural Ireland, it's people and customs "as an insider" with great sensitivity and passion. His depiction of his own place is remarkable, powerful, insightful,sensitive and is beautifully executed.
His images are un- cropped and taken in the available light. His creative approach to his subject matter is something which distinguishes him and makes him one of the most important Photographic Artists to come out of Ireland in recent years.
He is the first ever Irish winner of a Communication Art Award for his photograph of the fiddle player Paddy Killoughery.
Born and reared in County Clare (the home of traditional Irish music), he released his first solo recording "The House I Was Reared In" in July 2007, to critical acclaim. In this recording, made at his converted Barn in Spancilhill Co Clare, he is joined by first Cousin, the World renowned Fiddle player Martin Hayes and Accompanist Dennis Cahill along with fellow guest musicians, Eamonn Cotter, Liam Lewis and Peadar O Loughlin.
His work has been shown from New York to London to Los Angeles and throughout Europe and Scandinavia and also in Ireland and is now held in many private and public collections worldwide.
He learned his photography by looking at the work of some of the great Photographers of our time including Henri Cartier-Bresson , Dorthea Lange, Josef Koudelka and others of their ilk.
He was taught the Art of Black and White printing in the Darkroom of Master Printer and Photographer Adrian Ensor in London in the 1990's.
He is a believer in the the "Pure Image" and of the "Decisive Moment " in Photography. He still shoots film and uses old cameras including his 1950's twin lens Roelliflex Camera. He hand prints his own work.
Other influences derive from his musicianship and love of traditional music, especially evident from his work on the book, "The Living Note", with author and radio producer Peter Woods. Apart from this Christy has built up a large body of music photography taking in the likes of U2 and The Pogues. He divides his time between Spancilhill in Co Clare, and New York.
Gallery representation includes The Morrison Hotel Gallery in New York City.