Reconstructions

World-renowned Northern Irish photographer, Bobbie Hanvey, captured some of The Troubles' most defining and devastating moments. Bobbie is lauded as much for these photographs as he is for his iconic portraits of figures like Seamus Heaney, Gerry Adams, Brian Friel, and Ian Paisley. In Reconstructions, these photographs take on even greater resonance when set in context by Bobbie's eldest son, singer-songwriter and poet, Steafan Hanvey. Inspired by the photographs, he often witnessed coming to life in the darkroom, Steafan's memories of a childhood less ordinary are presented in a lyric poetry filled with startling imagery and insights that capture the wit, cadences, anguish, and dreams of the people of Northern Ireland. Reconstructions daringly conflates the public and the private, and acts as a timely reminder of just how futile and unnecessary internecine conflict really is. But most of all, Bobbie and Steafan, father and son, have produced a book that is a testament to the strength and resilience of ordinary people living through extraordinary times.