Guest professionals: Nathalie Boulouch (Lecturer in Contemporary Art History and Photography – Exhibition Curator, Rennes, Brittany), Siân Addicott (Director of Ffotogallery, Cardiff, Wales), Ben Harman (Senior Curator of Photography, National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland), Ángel Luis González (Director of PhotoIreland, Dublin, Ireland) and Julia Gelezova (General Manager of PhotoIreland, Dublin, Ireland).

As part of its new Interceltic Conference programme, the GLAZ Festival welcomes five internationally renowned professionals to discuss contemporary photography through the lens of Celtic identities, territory, memory, and contemporary artistic creation.

These Interceltic Conference aim to strengthen cultural ties between the Celtic nations — Brittany, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and beyond — by creating a space for dialogue between institutions, artists, and audiences.

In collaboration with the Ffotogallery (Cardiff), the National Galleries of Scotland (Edinburgh), and PhotoIreland (Dublin), GLAZ Festival presents a series of talks, screenings, and discussions exploring contemporary photographic practices that question the shared narratives and cultural legacies of these Celtic territories.

Nathalie Boulouch (France)

Nathalie Boulouch is an art and photography historian, exhibition curator, and art critic. She is a senior lecturer at the University of Rennes 2. She has published numerous books and essays, and has collaborated with various institutions such as the Albert Kahn Museum (Boulogne), the Musée de Bretagne (Rennes), Le Point du Jour (Cherbourg), the Palais Galliera – Fashion Museum of the City of Paris, and Photo Elysée (Lausanne). In 2024–2025, she was a research fellow (CNRS) at the Musée de Bretagne, working on a project about the history of the dissemination of contemporary photography in Brittany (1975–2004) through its events, venues, and key figures.

Ben Harman (Scotland)

Ben Harman is the Senior Curator of Photography at the National Galleries of Scotland. From 2014-2024 he was Director of Stills – Centre for Photography, a gallery and production facility based in the heart of Edinburgh. His curated exhibitions for Stills included a variety of solo and group presentations of new photography from Scotland as well as showcases of work by internationally renowned artists and photographers such as: Markéta Luskačová, Ishiuchi Miyako, Cindy Sherman and Jo Spence. From 2003–2013, Ben Harman was Curator of Contemporary Art for Glasgow Museums and Lead Curator on Glasgow’s Art Fund International collecting project. He is a Trustee of the Richard & Siobhán Coward Foundation.

Siân Addicott (Wales)

Siân Addicott is an arts professional and educator with extensive experience in the cultural sector and wider creative industries. She is currently Director of Ffotogallery in Cardiff, Wales and has a background in higher education, photographic practice, and visual culture. Her work focuses on supporting emerging and underrepresented artists, with a particular interest in feminist practice and strengthening the visibility of marginalised voices in the arts.

Angel Luis Gonzáles – Julia Gelezova (Ireland)

Ángel Luis González Fernández is a designer, artist, and curator supporting engaging visual arts practices, winner of Business to Arts David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards 2011. His work manifests through PhotoIreland, which he founded in 2010 to stimulate a critical dialogue on Photography.

Julia Gelezova is a cultural producer and curator, specialising in contemporary lens-based practices. She is General Manager at PhotoIreland, producing and curating events and exhibitions throughout the year like the annual PhotoIreland Festival and Critical Academy, while collaborating on ambitious projects like Creative Europe Photography Platforms—Parallel and FUTURES.

About PhotoIreland

PhotoIreland grows the reputation of Irish artists globally through a 360 degree support system and platform for contemporary photography, activated through a diversity of projects. In July 2025, PhotoIreland launched the International Centre for the Image in Dublin.