Garvan Gallagher

Interpreting the word ‘invisible’, a word commonly used by older people about their place in society, was the basis of this work. Titled ‘My Way’, this exhibition used photography and video to explore the notion of growing older with fashion, in particular, whether older people abandon fashion or whether fashion abandons older people.

Garvan took the iconic fashion photograph and using a collaborative approach with ten residents of Dublin 15, recreated various fashion photographs with each person, substituting the younger body with the older body.

A 60-page colour publication accompanied the exhibition, outlining the process and level of participant collaboration. Two other photographic series explored the individual in more detail. One of which, also exhibited, had each person engaging with their own reflection, inspired by a participant’s story of how she had to cope with her own aging reflection through mirrors.