Moments on Shivi’s journey

‘Photography' started for me as a simple way of capturing moments,” Shivaniee Nadarajah told her audience at Nenagh Arts Centre.

She is not a professional photographer and has never considered herself an expert. All of her photos were taken on her mobile phone.

Yet, there is something about the photography of Shivaniee – or ‘Shivi’, as she is known to most here – that has afforded her recognition in the form of three local exhibitions. The latest was launched at Nenagh Arts Centre this month. It shows scenes Shivi has captured in the town of Nenagh and by Lough Derg using just her phone and her inimitable eye for a simple, yet engaging pic, often brought to life with unique use of light.

Many of the photos on display were taken at dawn or dusk while Shivi was out walking. She told those gathered that this has helped her cope with a difficult situation of living away from her children, aged 12 and 9, who are still back in her home country of Sri Lanka being cared for by her elderly parents.

After escaping an abusive relationship, Shivi came to Ireland to further her education as a means of providing a better future for her children. She moved to Nenagh four years ago after beginning a new relationship with local man Donal Ryan. She loves life here but spoke of the pain she feels at not being able to secure visas for her children, despite persistent attempts.

“During moments when I missed my children and felt the distance from my family, those walks gave me comfort and helped me connect with my new home,” Shivi said.

“I captured those simple moments of beauty, and these photographs hold not only what I saw, but also what I felt.“For me, ‘Nenagh Through My Lens’ is not only about the places I photographed. It is about the connection I built with this town, the people I met, and the moments that became part of my journey.”

‘NENAGH WELCOMED ME’

Shivi took the opportunity to thank the local community for making her feel at home and accepted. “Nenagh welcomed me,” she said. “A place is not made only be its buildings and streets; it is made by the kindness of the people who live there.”

She particularly thanked the Ryan family – “my family in Ireland” – for their support, as well Artistic Director Dr Fiana Ní Chonaill and her predecessor Trish Taylor Thompson for facilitating her exhibition, and local councillors Séamie Morris, Pamela Quirke O’Meara and Louise Morgan Walsh for attending the launch. Shivi also mentioned local photographer Terry O’Rourke, who instilled in her confidence to tell her own story through her lens.

While she never previously expected to one day host her own photography exhibition, Shivi had hoped to unveil this one last year in the company of her parents and children. She postponed it to this year, again hoping that her family would be reunited in Ireland.

“Unfortunately, I am still waiting for my children’s arrival, and that remains an emotional part of my journey,” Shivi told those around her. “But I believe every journey has its own timing.”

She added that when she looks back on her journey, she realises it was “never just about photography. It was about a mother’s sacrifices, the kindness and support of the Nenagh community, and the power of photography to tell a story,” Shivi said.

“Every person who walks through this exhibition becomes part of this story, and I am grateful that you are sharing this moment with me. I hope that when you look at these photographs, you do not only see Nenagh through me lens, but also feel a little of my journey, my gratitude and my heart.”

Cllr Morris said it was remarkable that Shivi had managed to capture such quality images of Nenagh using a mobile phone. Cllr Quirke O’Meara agreed and said the beauty captured in these stills causes one to pause and appreciate what we have in this locality. Cllr Morgan Walsh said Shivi’s spontaneous way of seeing the world has showcased Nenagh in a new light and she encouraged local people to come and see it for themselves.

Shivi’s exhibition ‘Nenagh Through My Lens’ will remain on display at Nenagh Arts Centre until the end of the month.