Feature: THE BIG PICTURE - Roderick Buchanan: Legacy is at the Imperial War Museum,

Published: 26 May 2011

LEGACY is a new exhibition at Imperial War Museum London by Scottish artist Roderick Buchanan. Commissioned by the museum, the  work is a response to the Troubles in Northern Ireland, their legacy and recent social, political and economic change. 

The work comprises two highly immersive films, titled Scots Irish / Irish Scots, which follow two Scottish flute bands during 2009/10. Commissioned in England, produced in Scotland and filmed in Northern Ireland, the two films are being shown in the gallery space simultaneously, to give both sides equal levels of representation. They are accompanied by a series of portrait photographs of the bandsmen involved and supported by a book by the artist.

The bands involved are Parkhead Republican Flute Band formed in 1978 and Black Skull Corps of Fife and Drum formed in 1981 – two grassroots organisations living with the legacy of the Good Friday Agreement. To create the films, Roderick Buchanan assumed a unique position inside two communities actively engaged in British Unionism and Irish Republicanism.

Irish Republicans and Northern Irish Loyalists have always sought and found support in Scotland. During the Troubles, bandsmen from Northern Ireland would travel to Scotland regularly in support of Scotland’s major parades; in return Scottish people would do the same for the big parades in Northern Ireland.

Roderick Buchanan says: “This has been an extraordinary opportunity to work with groups of people who take the lead communicating their values and beliefs in public. I hope the films are well received and valued as an honest representation of the bandsmen’s experience.”

Diane Lees, director-general of the Imperial War Museum, says: “Roderick Buchanan’s Legacy is a unique visual record which fulfils our aim of commissioning ambitious and original artwork. The films capture the sights and sounds of marching season from two very different perspectives and we hope this challenges visitors to consider how the legacy of conflict continues to have an impact on life in the United Kingdom.”

• Roderick Buchanan: Legacy is at the Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, SE1, until August 7, 10am-6pm daily,
admission free, 020 7416 5000, http://london.iwm.org.uk