There’s a narrow valley in the far north, where the forest is left to be, with minimal human interference. Trees are left to die, undisturbed, to fall, to feed the earth and the forest floor, an ecosystem of death and rebirth. Rosemary guides us through this temperate rainforest, and through her knowledge a history is revealed; the forest, the oaks, the thousands of years all witnessing the passing of time, many generations older than you, and me. Here an ancient spirit is alive and we are intoxicated by its presence, by the shapes and the mystery of nature. Trees are talking without the need of words, they command respect, elders that survive and see us, a parallel world, a different pace. Fleeting human worries are no  concern here. People have walked these paths since time immemorial with animals long extinct, yet plants and trees remain with us, survivors of time. We feel blessed by them, by the power of life and death. I cannot unsee how every tree has a history, parallel to a human history in each local place. Everytime a tree is cut, it disrupts the natural cycle, history is erased, the memory of stories beneath its branches. Today, this is confined to a narrow valley that has escaped the axe and saw, an exception. Wild woodlands at once outlawed, are still threatened but also partly protected by human civilization. The river flows at the base of the valley, with moss covering the rocks and trees, subterranean worlds connected. Some believe this is where the portals to Tír na nÓg are found, such as amongst three titanic trees, whose roots have merged with each other, giving them the shape of a throne.  Whether this is true or not doesn’t concern me, I’m content with entering.

Artist Bio

Helio León is a Spanish photographer and filmmaker based in Dublin. His work explores ways of social interaction, gender, and intimacy that transgress societal conventions. Helio aims to move his audience, sharing a personal and hidden experience of the world. In recent years Helio’s photographic work has shifted its focus towards nature and the invisible.

Helio has produced several photographic documentary series including: Samothrace, Warwick Road and Marfa Sky also published as a photo book by TLP Editions, The Sea of Dissolution and The Purple Room. The Purple Room was exhibited in the group shows ‘A Vague Anxiety’ at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, and ‘Pulse’ at the Noorderlicht Festival.  

Helio has  been awarded the Arts Council Project Award and the Krakow Photomonth ShowOff Prize.  Selected exhibitions include: the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Pallas Projects, Noorderlicht Photo Festival, Streetview Anderlecht, MarfaOpen, Landskrona , The Empire Project and Krakow Photomonth. As a filmmaker Helio has directed short experimental films like Sister of the Dogs , Night Journey and The Purple Room.

Visualising Natural Heritage of Northern Ireland: 

Visualising Northern Ireland’s Natural Heritage is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, five diverse photographers are collaborating with conservation groups and local communities across Northern Ireland to visualise our natural heritage, with a focus on Lough Neagh, peatland, marine areas, the wider Belfast Hills and temperate rainforests.

These new co-curated narratives and photographic works will feature in exhibitions and events in Belfast, throughout Northern Ireland and beyond. Belfast Photo Festival and its partners aim to foster creativity, build meaningful connections and generate lasting public engagement with societal impact to help protect the environment.