Ladies and Gentlemen by Daragh Soden

Winner of the British Journal of Photography Undergraduate Single Image Award in 2016 and the Grand Prix du Jury Photo at the Hyères Festival in 2017, Daragh Soden came to international recognition nearly a decade ago with his series Young Dubliners.

The CCI is delighted to present a selection of works from his latest series of large-format portraits, Ladies & Gentlemen, which raises questions around gender roles, photographer-subject relationships and performative expressions of identity. Placing himself in front of the lens as well as behind, Daragh says: ‘I decided to play out my role in front of the camera, addressing the sometimes awkward relationship between the author and the subject. Like the individuals in drag, I both subvert and confirm the roles expected of me. Whether as an admirer, collaborator, narcissist or voyeur, I explore different dynamics with each sitting, ranging from alpha-male dominance to passive servitude’.

On the evening of the opening, at 5.30pm, Daragh Soden will discuss his work with writer Henrietta McKervey (book tickets here). At 8pm, musician Adam Buttimer will give a short concert melding tuba and electro. And, throughout the evening, the winner of our 2023 Romilly Walton Masters Performance Residency, Venus Patel, will screen her short film Daisy: Prophet of the Apocalypse.

This exhibition is presented as part of :

A Paris pendant PARIS PHOTO