Experience '˜Modern Experiments'

‘Susan MacWilliam: Modern Experiments’ will run at the FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio until November 26 and is guaranteed to enthral thousands of visitors with a dramatic series of video installations, sculpture and photography which promises to stretch the imagination and stir the mind.

It forms a unique and significant body of material which explores concepts not always fully explained through mainstream scientific or psychological study, including paranormal phenomena, mediumship, ectoplasm, x-ray vision and telepathy.

The compelling and thought-provoking exhibition by the Belfast born artist, which will tour an additional three key arts venues across Ireland in 2017, opened at the FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio on September 10.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council, Garath Keating, said: “Susan MacWilliam is one of the North’s most exciting home-grown contemporary artistic talents and I’m thrilled that her work can be showcased and experienced at this stunning gallery and studio space. With impressive credentials and international recognition, Susan’s talents can now be enjoyed by everyone.”

Susan MacWilliam said: “The FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio is a world class venue for arts and culture and I’m both delighted and honoured that for the first time, I can showcase all my key works together in one major exhibition. Using video, photography and installation my work examines vision and perception, and reality and illusion through my explorations of obscure histories and cases of perceptual and paranormal phenomena. I hope it will be enjoyed by many.”

A specialised programme focusing on those living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia will accompany the exhibition. Several of the subjects of MacWilliam’s videos have been aged in their 80s and 90s and the narrative quality of many of her works, together with the historic subject matter, provides rich ground for specialist sessions with local Alzheimer café groups and more general tours for older people led by gallery staff.

Dr Riann Coulter, curator and manager of the FE McWilliam Gallery & Studio, said: “This exciting project demonstrates once more our commitment to making the very best, works of art and culture fully accessible for residents and visitors alike and we are delighted to be working so closely with Susan to deliver what promises to be an outstanding and memorable visitor experience.”