What Does He Need?

During our month-long Boys in the Making exhibition at the NCAD Gallery, Rialto Youth Project’s Boys’ Club and artist Aaron Sunderland Carey presented ‘Deco’ - an evocative pop up exhibition in the adjoining foyer. This multi-media installation delves into themes of masculinity, care, protection, and an exploration of identity and growth.

The pop-up exhibition represented a culmination of creative processes which began in 2021, when the group first created Deco - a 12 year old boy. In that story the group shared all the things they wanted to show Deco as he moved into the area.

‘Welcome to life next to Tesco. We are here to show you around, show you the places to hang out, where to get your food and everything that has been blocked up and locked up in the last few years.’ (2021)

The methodology of the Boys in the Making programme means that the group can always return to the boy they created. Deco is now 14 years old and Boys’ Club have added to his story, and created 3 murals that represent what Deco feels he can share about himself in safe spaces, versus what he presents to people in the outside world.

‘There’s a lot more to tell you. You have lots to figure out. All the things you were taught since you’re a baby - being told that a man can’t act like a woman and be a man. You are not sure about it all now. You hear there are lots of ways to be a man.’ (2024)

The artwork in the Deco pop up exhibition was developed by Rialto Youth Project Boys’ Club in collaboration with youth workers Karen Cronin and Stephen Quinn and artist Aaron Sunderland Carey, with writing support from Fiona Whelan.

Exhibition photos by Evanna Devine.

Some more exhibition photos from Boys in the Making at NCAD Gallery, which runs until 14 February.

Image 1: 3 video works L-R ‘Stevie’ by Fiona Whelan, Rialto Youth Project and Paper Panther Productions; ‘Reece’ by Dara Clear and Poppintree Youth Project; and ‘Ashton’ by Gary Keegan, Scoil Chiaráin CBS and Arcade Film.

Image 2: ‘Big Boy Vincent’ drawings by Aaron Sunderland Carey and Dolphin House Homework Club

Image 3: Conversation space designed and built by Spaceforms

Image 4: ‘James and Louis’ publication by Aaron Sunderland Carey and Scoil Chiaráin CBS

Image 5: Boys created by artists and organisations across Dublin. Drawings by Fiona Whelan.

Image 6: Boys in the Making, methodology workshop publication by Fiona Whelan and Rialto Youth Project

Photos by Evanna Devine.

Led by Fiona Whelan and Rialto Youth Project, Boys in the Making is a dynamic place-based programme for boys and young men, which sees groups come together over time, to co-create a boy and explore his needs and experiences as he interacts with the world around him. The programme aims to explore, communicate and learn from the lived experiences and knowledge of boys and young men as they engage in a creative exploration of masculinity and its formation.

Exhibition continues at NCAD Gallery until 14 February, curated by Anne Kelly.
Supported by the Arts Council, Dublin City Council Arts Office, Rialto Youth Project and NCAD.

https://www.ncad.ie/gallery-event/view/boys-in-the-making