Mountjoy Square

Dublin 1999-2000

During the time of the Celtic Tiger, when Ireland’s economy was looking extraordinarily robust, a residential area of Dublin was undergoing a seismic demographic shift.

Mountjoy Square, situated on the north side of the River Liffey and dating back to the 18th century, was being transformed from what had been perceived to be a predominantly Irish working-class area, to a more mixed class, multicultural environment.  

Observing the effects of people movement - itself an effect of the Irish economic climate, analysing people integration or the lack of, Mehdi Chafik builds a story from the inside, that has its foundation in the most political, personal, and universal of questions: what is identity? 


Black and white sequence showing movement across a field with trees in the background.
Silhouettes against iron fence posts in a dramatic black and white composition.
Black and white urban scene with buildings and bare trees in winter.
Close-up portrait shots in dramatic black and white photography.
Low angle view of people playing sports on an outdoor field.
Silhouetted figure drinking from a bottle against bright background.
Low angle shots through chain-link fence in black and white.
Person walking in urban setting with buildings visible in background.
Basketball hoop and backboard silhouetted against cloudy sky.
Black and white sequence showing figures resting against a chain link fence.
Series of black and white images showing movement across a grassy hill with brick buildings.
Progressive shots of white fabric hanging on chain link fence.