Ballymena photographic artist David McKinney
Ballymena man David McKinney is set to unveil his inaugural solo photographic exhibition Beyond the Tide, shining a light on mental health and suicide awareness in Northern Ireland following the loss of three friends from Ballymena to suicide and his own experience as a missing person.
David, an emerging photographic artist, will debut his first solo exhibition at Arts for All, Belfast, from October 3 to October 28.
The Opening Night event taking place tomorrow, Thursday 3 October, from 6pm to 8pm features a drinks reception, is completely free and open to the public.
Beyond the Tide marks a significant milestone in the local man’s personal journey into the art world.
Becoming known for his evocative lens and ability to capture the essence of his subjects, McKinney specialises in the digital transformation of photographs, creating contemporary narratives with high-contrast and monochrome imagery to convey profound themes of anxiety and loss, deeply rooted in his personal mental health experiences.
One of David’s evocative images.
With Northern Ireland holding the highest suicide rate in the UK, David’s exhibition aims to shine a light on mental health and suicide awareness, particularly among individuals over 50—a demographic often overlooked in these critical discussions.
David’s work has been profoundly influenced by his own personal loss of three friends in this age group to suicide since 2016, driving his commitment to fostering greater awareness, dialogue, and reducing stigma through his art.
The exhibition's title and visual expression were inspired by a poignant exchange with a friend shortly before his passing. David’s comment, "I hope it is only a short time until the tide turns," was met with his friend's last words to him: "Thanks David, wave getting bigger... I'm ok."
This personal connection underscores the emotional resonance and advocacy embedded in his photography.
Commenting ahead of his exhibition opening on Thursday, David said:
“As a photographer, I very much enjoy creating conceptual art and digitally transforming my photographs to communicate contemporary stories and messages.
“Personally my work serves as a way I can explore my experiences with mental health issues, a md helps me to articulate my own emotions and raise awareness about the mental health challenges that many people face in everyday life.
“I hope viewers will enjoy engaging with my work and each gain their own insights into the emotional depth of the subject, and in turn helping to raise greater mental health awareness."
Exhibition Details:
Beyond the Tide exhibition will be available to view from 3 October – 28 October 2024 at Arts for All, Cityside Retail Park, Ground Floor, Unit D, Belfast, BT15 1WA.
All are welcome to the Opening Night on Thursday 3 October from 6pm to 8pm at the venue above.
Venue Contact: Email celia@arts-for-all.co.uk or call 028 9075 2134.
About David McKinney
David McKinney was born in 1970 and lives and works in Ballymena. He is currently undertaking a Master of Fine Arts in Photography at University of Ulster. The Arts Council NI has recognised him as an emerging photographic artist through their Support for the Individual Artist Programme grant award in 2023. As he continues to develop his craft, McKinney is set to contribute to the field of issue based conceptual photography in Northern Ireland with further exhibitions planned for 2025 and 2026. www.davidmckinneyphotography.com
Beyond the Tide is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.