Discover the Art of Photobooks

We are committed to celebrating photographic excellence and championing the art of photography through our publishing series IMPRINTS.

Empowering Artists Through Publishing

Photobooks are an essential aspect of the art form of photography. However, to date, this has been an under-developed aspect of photographic practice in Ireland – many important series presented in exhibition form have not realised their potential to reach wider international audiences.

Our publishing initiatives bring the work of artists featured in our programmes to wider audiences, creating open dialogues to critically frame contemporary photographic practices, and leaving an important record for the future. This builds on Photo Museum Ireland’s legacy of supporting artists’ practices since 1978, connecting with diverse communities, and stimulating debate on the role of photography in visual culture.

Photo Museum Ireland is a member of Publishing Ireland.

IMPRINT Series Publications

Photo Museum Ireland’s IMPRINT series is a publishing and residency initiative supporting artists in the development, design and production of catalogues, photobooks, and artists’ monographs. It offers participating artists the opportunity to be mentored by a panel of leading Irish and international curators, artists, academics and photobook publishers.

In 2024, we produced and published three exhibition catalogues, Changing States: Ireland in the 21st Century, Shane Lynam Pebbledash Wonderland and Skin / Deep – Perspectives on the Body under our IMPRINT series.

Changing States: Ireland in the 21st Century (2024)

This exhibition catalogue delves into the evolving landscape of Ireland, capturing the essence of its modern-day transformations through a series of thought-provoking photographs. Featuring works by 34 contemporary artists, the exhibition and catalogue present three key themes: Political Landscapes, Notions of Home, and Changing Identities.

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Shane Lynam: Pebbledash Wonderland (2024)

Designed and produced by Photo Museum Ireland, this beautiful publication accompanies Shane Lynam’s Pebbledash Wonderland (2014–2024), a decade-long photographic exploration of Dublin’s evolving urban landscape. The exhibition, also developed and presented by Photo Museum Ireland, marks the culmination of a two-year exhibition development residency with the museum.

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Skin / Deep: Perspectives on the Body (2024)

Skin / Deep: Perspectives on the Body features innovative work by nine
artists from, or living and working, in Ireland, reflecting the diversity of
contemporary photographic and lens-based practices. This catalogue, with an essay by exhibition curator Darren Campion, serves as a visual and contextual companion to the featured works.

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Akihiko Okamura: The Memories of Others

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Akihiko Okamura: The Memories of Other award winning photobook and touring exhibitions

In 2023 internationally renowned curator, photo historian and writer Pauline Vermare brought together an international team of photography experts to collaborate a major project to bring the Irish work of acclaimed Japanese photographer Akihiko Okamura to international audiences. The curatorial team included:

Masako Toda, leading writer, curator and curatorial advisor to the Estate of Okamura
Seán O’Hagan, writer on photography & features writer for the Observer
Jordan Alves, partner, Atelier EXB publishing
Brendan Maher, Collection Manager, Photo Museum Ireland
Trish Lambe, Artistic Director/CEO, Photo Museum Ireland
Filmmaker Marc Lesser, Lucky Tiger Productions and co-director with Pauline Vermare of the short film ‘The Memories of Others’.

Digitisation:
Masako Toda and Brendan Maher took the lead in overseeing the production of Okamura’s Irish image files for book, film and exhibition. This work was undertaken as part of Photo Museum Ireland’s Archive Collection initiative which is working with artists and estates to build archival collection records to reflect the canon of Irish photography, securing them for the future.

The Memories of Others Photo Book:
Jordan Alves from acclaimed French photobook publisher Atelier EXB led the design and production the photobook which was edited by Pauline Vermare. Prestel Publishing agreed to partner for the English language edition. The book won the Special Mention Award at Arles Photo Fair 2024, shortlisted for Photobook of the Year at Paris Photo Fair 2024 and shortlisted for the Prix Nadar 2024.

Exhibition: The exhibition and book were premiered in Photo Museum Ireland in 2024 where 19,000 people visited the exhibition. The exhibition will be presented in the Ulster Museum in June 2025.