“Into the Wild” Exhibition of Photographs comes to Flowerfield Arts Centre

Tue, May 03, 2016

“Into the Wild” Exhibition of Photographs comes to Flowerfield Arts Centre

Flowerfield Arts Centre continues its season of photographic exhibitions by talented local photographers, by welcoming Tom McDonnell’s “Into the Wild” Exhibition to the Main Galleries from Saturday 7th-28th May 2016.

Tom’s much anticipated exhibition will open with a public reception to meet the artist on Saturday 7th May at 12noon. The show features some remarkable camera work by Tom, taken at home in Northern Ireland and on his worldwide travels.

Tom McDonnell was born in Belfast and grew up there at the height of the troubles. In the mid-seventies his family moved to Antrim town where Tom's interest in wildlife began. The family moved again to another part of Antrim closer to a park and a river.

The regular walks he took along the river bank sparked a passionate interest in wildlife and subsequently photography. Tom joined Antrim Camera Club where this passion for photography continued to grow. Often he would go out along the riverside trying to get wildlife shots but without much success at first.

Gradually after hard work, perseverance and dedication his photography started to improve, and now 30 years on he is recognised as an award winning professional photographer. Winning accolades for his work, he is achieving international recognition for his published photographic images and prints.

After a day trip to beautiful Rathlin Island in the 1990’s, Tom decided that being constantly surrounded by wildlife was the best way to move forward with his photography. In 2006 he made the decisive move to make his home on the little island, a very special place with its famous sea bird sanctuaries.

Tom continues to travel worldwide pursuing his passion for wildlife photography, he has journeyed from Alaska to Africa, from Sweden to the Southern Ocean and of course all around Rathlin Island, to be closer to nature and good photographic opportunities.

These amazing photos are now the subject of his exhibition at Flowerfield entitled “INTO THE WILD”, the results of his wide ranging journeys through the world driven by his love of the animals and birds he encounters. This selection of photographs are some of the finest on the subject.

Tom appeared on BBC Countryfile, The One Show, UTV Lesser Spotted Ulster, UTV Wild About Ulster, BBC Radio Ulster and the German TV network NDR. He has recently won a special commendation in the Sony World Photography Awards out of 44000 worldwide entries as well as numerous local awards. Tom has dedicated this exhibition to his brother Jackie (1963-1982).

The “Into the Wild” Exhibition will be on display in Flowerfield Arts Centre’s Main Galleries from Saturday 7th-28th May 2016. For further information please visit www.flowerfield.org or telephone 028 7083 1400.

ENDS