Local Knowledge
My perception of Boyle and the surrounding area, is that there is so much unseen by the passer-by. In These Rooms encompasses my experience of being an outsider in Boyle, how I discovered the place from speaking with people. Everyone I’ve met so far, both formally and in passing, has been so generous with their time. Below is a series of images from my conversations, walks and cups of tea, while getting to know Boyle and the Royal Hotel.
Drumanone Portal Tomb on a walk with Christine, 2016
A set of previous streetscape plans I discussed with Brian, 2016.
Margaret shows me her knife with M carved into it that she used in the kitchen of the Royal, 2019.
Mick’s hands while he speaks with me about the period when he owned the Royal Hote, 2018.
Cristy shows me the shop floor titles, the original titles on right, 2016
Stick in the ground marks the spot to the passage grave, 2016
Barry shows the passage grave on hidden on the Rockingham Estate, 2016
Barry shows me around his family business Feelystone, 2016.
Space and memories
In These Rooms looks to portray this interrelationship between the physical spaces in the Royal – bar, restaurant, kitchens, car park – and the people who inhabited the space – guests, locals, friends and staff – past and present. The sociologist Henri Lefebvre calls for an understanding of space which is not about things in space, ‘but about space itself, with a view to uncovering the social relationships embedded in it’. Below are series of images from my documentation of the Royal before these rooms were demolished.
