Momentum Project Merges Skateboarding & Visual Art
A free community project, Momentum, brings together skateboarding culture and visual arts at Photo Museum Ireland. Funded by Dublin City Council’s Community Development Grant, the project was open to skaters and aspiring creatives aged 15-19, working under the guidance of acclaimed visual artists Phil Evans and Rich Gilligan, curated and conceptualised by Darragh Shanahan.
Our tutors worked with participants at Photo Museum Ireland to learn a wide array of techniques, from the fundamentals of camera construction and analogue photography to darkroom printing and modern digital imaging. Practical skills acquired included Polaroid exposure and lifting, creating Super 8mm animations, and the complete zine production process, encompassing post-production, editing, design, layout, and publication, with trips out to Weaver Skate Park Cork Street and Curbs Skate Park Spencer Dock.
Phil Evans teaching the Momentum crew to lift polaroids at Photo Museum Ireland.
By bringing together skateboarding and visual art, this project is about community, identity, and representation,” said Darragh Shanahan. “We’re challenging stereotypes and giving young skaters the space to tell their own stories.
The Momentum crew at Weaver Skate Park.
Polaroids created by the Momentum crew.
Copies of Momentum at High Rollers Skate Shop in Dublin.
This project is made possible by funding from Dublin City Council’s Community Development Grant.
