peter
“I’m 26 and still living with my mother. Finding accommodation in Dublin has become impossible. I am aware that this isn’t uncommon for my generation but that doesn’t make things easier. Being half French, there’s always the option of moving there, and Australia or London are also on the radar, but these are my last resorts. I want to figure myself out here, in Ireland. For now, I take life one day at a time, still searching for my path. I work in a café, and while it pays the bills, it’s far from my actual career. I graduated with a degree in pharmaceutical healthcare with international opportunities. But my time in the industry left me disillusioned. I started with the goal of finding purpose in my work through helping people, but I soon witnessed the darker side of the pharmaceutical industry. Working for one of the smaller companies, I got a behind-the-scenes look at how things operate on a larger scale. I was shocked by the amount of money funnelled into projects that never seemed to benefit anyone. The industry felt more like a machine churning out profit than a source of help for people in need. The disillusionment grew until I could no longer bear it. It was a tough decision, but necessary for my sanity. In the café I find joy in meeting new people and I enjoy having simple interactions with customers, but it often feels more like a waiting room. Waiting for a new opportunity to show up. Many of my friends share the same uncertainty and struggle to find direction. We’re a generation trapped between expectations and reality. Despite this, I hold onto the hope that better times are on the way. I just have to keep moving forward and trust the journey.”
This story is part of my new exhibition, my largest so far. Along with sixty other large prints and the best stories from the past decade in the dlr LexIcon Venue
Part of the exhibition was created exclusively for the Lexicon Library in Dun Laoghaire. This is my largest exhibition so far, featuring over 60 large prints and the best stories from the past decade. It’s definitely worth a visit when you’re next in Dun Laoghaire. The exhibition will be on display until the end of July. It’s free, and you don’t need to register—just pop in and enjoy!