River Hymn
Simon Bates
PhotoIreland
English
Softcover
Edition of 200
32 pages
150 x 210 mm
2025
This work, created during a 2021 residency at The Butler Gallery, Kilkenny, is inspired by the River Nore. The river served as a constant companion during my travels to and from Kilkenny, prompting an exploration of its literary and artistic significance. My research led me to Seamus Heaney’s poetry, inspired by visits to his friend and artist Barrie Cooke, whose work is on display at The Butler Gallery. Cooke’s former Thomastown studio, bearing the inscription “Everything Flows”, further solidified the connection. This Heraclitean philosophy resonated deeply, shaping my understanding of the river as a metaphor for the ever-changing nature of life. Embracing this fluidity, my process involved daily walks, embracing observation and serendipitous discoveries. These images are the culmination of that journey: thinking, walking, observing, and photographing—walking being fundamental to my practice.
(Source: https://www.thelibraryproject.ie/collections/tlp-editions/products/river-hymn-simon-bates)
About the Artist
My name is Simon Bates, and I am a photographer based in Southeast Ireland. Alongside juggling family life, work, etc, I have recently completed the MA in Photojournalism & Documentary Photography course at LCC (London). I have also worked for over ten years in the Architecture industry. I like swimming, cycling, surfing, bodyboarding, and shooting all sorts of stuff (with a camera).
https://simonbatesphotography.wordpress.com
(Source: https://simonbatesphotography.wordpress.com/about)
About the Publisher
PhotoIreland grows the reputation of Irish artists globally through a 360 degree support system and platform for contemporary photography, activated through a diversity of projects. These include events such as PhotoIreland Festival and Halftone print fair amongst others; resources such as the PhotoIreland Collection, a specialised research library of photobooks, and Ireland’s Art Bookshop, The Library Project; via publishing with projects such as OVER Journal and TLP Editions; professional development support through networking and consultancy opportunities; and empowering early and mid-career photographers via our international partnerships, most relevantly through Creative Europe co-funded platforms such as FUTURES and Parallel.
https://photoireland.org
(Source: https://photoireland.org/about-photoireland)
