Troubled Land

More about the book

An iconic project from the height of the ‘Troubles’, this work explores the subtle yet persistent signs of political division in Northern Ireland’s landscape. Central to the Irish conflict is the land—its ownership, control, and historical significance. The book uniquely merges landscape and conflict photography, drawing readers in with picturesque views that gradually reveal telling details: painted kerbs, distant soldiers or helicopters, flags, graffiti, and paint-splattered roads, each subtly indicating a location's Republican or Loyalist ties. Initially pastoral images of green fields and hedgerows transform into representations of conflict and discord. Despite the steadiness of the photographic frame and clarity of vision, the land remains unsettled. Originally published in 1986, this reprint marks the first time in thirty-five years that the book is available. Controversial for its use of color and its departure from conventional photojournalism, it offered a fresh perspective on Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’ and significantly influenced landscape photography, encouraging engagement with political and social issues. This work, alongside A1 – The Great North Road and Beyond Caring, completes a new edition of Graham’s remarkable trilogy from the 1980s UK.