Noel Bowler’s expansive project ‘Union’ looks at the spaces of organised labour. ‘Union’ explores the meeting rooms and back offices at the coalface of the ideological war between labour and capital that has shaped our lives since the industrial revolution.

Mostly unpeopled, these interior spaces are quietly revealing. Some organisations occupy the simplest of functional spaces, others confidently demonstrate their rootedness within the established order of things, their spaces echoing the board rooms of corporate power. There is lightness of touch, too. The ZNP Union of Polish Teachers will convene in what is, in every sense, a classroom, complete with blackboard; while at The Brotherhood of Teamsters in Washington DC even the chairs huddle in conference.

“It’s heartening to spend time with Bowler’s quietly anchored work, to recognise the value and richness of all these sustained labours and understand that there are still sharp minds and strong hands ready to navigate difficult waters” – Ken Grant

Made over a 5-year period in trade union offices in 14 countries, the photographs offer us a glimpse into the places where the decisions and policies that affect so many are created. Bowler gives us a unique insight into the pressures and challenges facing unions in this era of political and economic uncertainty, radical changes in traditional work practices and increased worker insecurity. The work of the Union movement has never been so relevant for so many throughout Ireland and the world. This timely work continues Bowler’s ongoing consideration of the political forces that shape our world, reflected through the organisation of social space.

Noel Bowler is a Photographer and Educator. Born in Ireland (b.1978). He holds an MFA in photography from University of Ulster, Belfast and a BA (Hons) degree in Documentary Photography from the University of Wales, Newport.

His work has been exhibited worldwide including New York Photofestival and Les Rencontres d’Arles, with solo exhibitions in Gallery of Photography, Ireland, and Impressions Gallery, England. Bowler has nominated for the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize in 2011 and for the Prix Pictet Photography Prize in both 2012 and 2015.

One of his recent bodies of work, Union was published by the Kehrer Verlag in 2015. He is currently a Lecturer in Photography at the University of Suffolk.
The artist would like to thank all the unions that contributed to this project.

With specific thanks to:

The Irish Municipal, Public & Civil Trade union IMPACT

Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union SIPTU

Marine Engineers’ Benevolent Association MEBA

Laborers’ International Union of North America LIUNA

Confederation of German Trade Unions DBG

Unite the Union UNITE

All-Russia Life-support Workers’ Union ALSWU

International Brotherhood of Teamsters IBT

United Steelworkers of America USW

International Longshoremen’s Association ILA

The Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL

Public and Commercial Services Union PCS

Communications Workers of America CWA