The Legends that Connect Spain and Ireland

In her series, Descendants, Australian photographer Clare Steele re-interprets the histories of the two countries using ancient myths and folkloric tales.

Descendants is inspired by the connections between Spain and Ireland, through the tales of Milesians, the sons of Míl Espáine, and migration across the water. The sons sailed to Ireland from Spain, settled the land and became known as the Gaels, from whom the Irish descend. The work is concerned with the myths and legends of both countries and those journeys which never wither from memory and result in folklore.

With a focus on memory and belonging to a place while engaging with the movement of people over time; the promise of the new while trying to hold onto the past. There is an everlasting quest to find the familiar within the foreign, to connect with our surroundings through what we recognise and can relate to, rather then the unknown. This series attempts to understand the soul’s yearning to see, feel and touch the world around us while also longing to keep the recognisable near and never let go of home.

Words and Pictures by Clare Steele.

Clare Steele is an Australian born photographer whose work is concerned with how place affects the emotional and physical connections to what we hold dear. Follow her on PHmuseum and Instagram.

--------------

This feature is part of Story of the Week, a selection of relevant projects from our community handpicked by the PHmuseum curators.