Sionnachuighim (I Play the Fox)
James Kelly
PhotoIreland
English
Softcover
Edition of 200
32 pages
148 x 210 mm
Sionnachuighim, meaning “I play the Fox”, is thought to be one possible origin of the word shenanigans, and in this work, shenanigans take centre stage.
As a teenager, I entered the world of drugs and alcohol quite early. Banished to rivers and forests, my friends and I partied until the sun came up. This period of my life had an unshakeable effect on me, my psyche and my personality. In this work, I have drawn from my memories and the memories of my peers to form a narrative that compares the natural world, such as foxes, to our world, with a focus on youth and the freedom that comes with it. – James Kelly
(Source: Back of booklet)
About the Artist
Rooted in the rural landscapes of County Wexford, Ireland, Kelly’s practice explores the intersection of nature and Irish folklore. Growing up in these environments, he developed a deep connection to the land and its mythic narratives, which continue to shape his visual language. Working with analogue photography, he uses experimental methods like cultivating mould on negatives and delaying development to embrace transformation and chance. Photobooks are central to his work, fostering intimate engagement with images. A founding member of the 256 Photography collective, he has exhibited in multiple group shows. His debut photobook Sionnachuighim (I Play the Fox) was selected for The Library Project’s Editions series.
(Source: https://onshow.iadt.ie/onshow/2025/james-kelly)
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/)
