Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has officially opened a significant photography exhibition at the Belfast Exposed gallery, which explores the complex themes of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage within Northern Ireland.

The exhibition, titled BIEN (British? Irish? Either? Neither?), was developed in collaboration with the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression (OICE). To support the visual displays, OICE and Belfast Exposed are set to host a series of performances, readings, and talks.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Lyons said: "I am pleased to launch this exhibition today. Photography is an art form that has a unique role to play in how communities, identity and culture is recorded.

"These three interconnected exhibitions provide us with an opportunity to bring together a diverse range of artists and subjects all of whom are proud to call Northern Ireland home.

"This is exactly the kind of initiative that enables us to celebrate together the diversity that makes Northern Ireland a welcoming place for everyone. I encourage everyone to come along and see it for themselves." Dr Katy Radford, Director of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression, commented on the importance of the partnership: "The Office is delighted to work with others who see culture and heritage as ways to celebrate being from Northern Ireland. We exist to promote a positive sense of belonging and community cohesion providing opportunities to celebrate together, in an open and respectful manner."

The exhibition builds on the long-standing mission of Belfast Exposed, which has spent over four decades documenting the social and cultural landscape of the region.

Deirdre Robb, Chief Executive of Belfast Exposed, added: "For over forty years Belfast Exposed has created a space where photography can explore the social and cultural realities of Northern Ireland. BIEN continues that tradition by bringing together artists whose work reflects the diversity of identities that shape our society today. Each artist approaches the question of identity from a different perspective — through language, heritage, landscape, memory and lived experience.

"What unites them is a belief in photography's power to help us see one another more clearly. We are honoured to partner with OICE on a project that opens up new conversations about who we are, and how we understand each other."