Browse and shop from Desmond Burdon’s most recent exhibition:
“Settling The Travellers”
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"The Irish Travellers, or Pavees, embody a rich nomadic tradition that has shaped Ireland’s cultural landscape for centuries. Moving between horse fairs and open roads, they have preserved their identity through oral history, craftsmanship, and an enduring connection to movement. However, in the mid-20th century, the Irish government initiated efforts to "settle" Traveller communities, particularly in urban centers like Dublin. This forced transition has been fraught with difficulty, raising profound questions of identity, displacement, and cultural survival.
Through this series, I explore the tension between tradition and assimilation, capturing the resilience of the Travellers while confronting the complexities of modern Ireland. Using layered textures, shifting landscapes, and fleeting figures, I seek to reflect both the freedom and the fragility of a culture caught between past and present. In a world that often demands conformity, what is lost when movement ceases?”