Editorial: Photo Essay / Story (PROFESSIONAL) - HONORABLE MENTION
Divided Lines. Catalonia

Photo © Joe O'Brien
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'Divided Lines' comes from the 4 red stripes on the Catalonian flag, La Senyera. According to legend, the flag dates back to the 9th century, when 4 red bars were drawn, as an act of gratitude, on Wilfred I (the Hairy's) Count of Barcelona's golden shield by King Charles the Bald's fingers, drenched in blood from the Count's war wounds, prior to the siege of Barcelona by Lobo Ibn Mohammed, the Moorish Governor of Lleida. The full name of the Catalan Separatist flag, L'Estelada is La Senyera Estelada (starred flag) and it's presence dominates the Pro-Independence rallies. Although both sides of the community identify as Catalans, the divisions are passionate, dominated by physical gestures and waving of their side's colours, Pro-Unionists often waving the flag of Spain (Bandera de España or la Rojigualda), especially when confronted by the opposing side.
Support of either side's strength is often described by organisers and media in numbers and aerial images of the 1000's lining the streets. This project aims to show moments within the crowd and illustrate the character of both sides of the divide.
In 2017 I had a solo exhibition of my project 'Maidan, More Than Life and Death' at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine and released a book of the same name.
My current project 'Divided Lines, Catalonia' is ongoing.
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'Divided Lines' comes from the 4 red stripes on the Catalonian flag, La Senyera. According to legend, the flag dates back to the 9th century, when 4 red bars were drawn, as an act of gratitude, on Wilfred I (the Hairy's) Count of Barcelona's golden shield by King Charles the Bald's fingers, drenched in blood from the Count's war wounds, prior to the siege of Barcelona by Lobo Ibn Mohammed, the Moorish Governor of Lleida. The full name of the Catalan Separatist flag, L'Estelada is La Senyera Estelada (starred flag) and it's presence dominates the Pro-Independence rallies. Although both sides of the community identify as Catalans, the divisions are passionate, dominated by physical gestures and waving of their side's colours, Pro-Unionists often waving the flag of Spain (Bandera de España or la Rojigualda), especially when confronted by the opposing side.
Support of either side's strength is often described by organisers and media in numbers and aerial images of the 1000's lining the streets. This project aims to show moments within the crowd and illustrate the character of both sides of the divide.
About author:
I am a photographer based in the UK. I worked as a freelance photojournalist from 2010, mainly covering protests, riots and demonstrations in London, the south east of England and Spain. At the beginning of February 2014 I travelled to Kyiv in Ukraine to photograph the Euromaidan protests. I photographed life on the barricades and in the protest camp, Maidan. I witnessed and photographed the events of 18th, 19th and 20th of February, from when the government of President Viktor Yanukovych was overthrown, continuing through the fragile days of coalition, post revolution, leading up to the Presidential and Mayoral elections in May 2014. In addition, the dismantling of Maidan and the Independence Day celebrations in August 2014 were extensively recorded.Living through a revolution and documenting the changes and struggles of a city still coming to terms with the events of February 2014, the annexation of Crimea, whilst living through conflict in the east of the country is an ongoing project, to be revisited over the coming years.I am currently working on a long term project, documenting the reach of the Soviet Union around the world. I visited 'Piramiden' in the Norwegian Arctic, a Soviet mining settlement, abandoned at the break-up of the Soviet Union, now being maintained as if a memorial to the past.In 2016 I photographed in Ireland during its centenary commemorations of the 'Easter Uprising' against British rule and documented life in Armenia and the 25 year Independence commemorations.In 2017 I had a solo exhibition of my project 'Maidan, More Than Life and Death' at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine and released a book of the same name.
My current project 'Divided Lines, Catalonia' is ongoing.
BACK TO GALLERY