The relationship between painting and photography hasn’t always been cordial. Some painters did use precursors of the modern camera such as the camera obscura to compose their works, but many people felt that the invention of the photograph itself in the early 19th century threatened the position of painting as a mirror of reality. The French poet and art critic Charles Baudelaire called photography “art’s most mortal enemy”. Today though, the relationship between the two forms has often become a dialogue, with both painting and photography benefitting from the opportunities brought by the cross fertilization of techniques and visions.

17th March is Saint Patrick’s Day, an official Christian feast day since the early 17th century. It commemorates the life of the Roman-British Saint Patrick, or Patricius, who is said to have not only brought Christianity to Ireland but also to have driven all the snakes out. Today, the festival celebrates Irish heritage, traditions and culture and it includes public parades, dance, Gaelic folk music, food, and alcohol.
In Hong Kong this year, St Patrick’s Day is also being celebrated by a two-day Irish Festival. With us right now are the festival organiser and members of the band Black Velvet Collective.