Picliam Farshid and exile

Now me: The notion of exile I think is a very interesting and historically significant consideration for the artist/commentator. However there are some important distinctions to be made when using this very emotive word. Of course the general view of exile is one of a forced migration through political, cultural/racial or economic forces. This of course carries with it a deep sadness, firstly from an unwanted and usually violent removal from ones home or place and secondly from being forced to live 'as an exile' in an alien culture, to always be an outsider. The danger is that there can be an easy identification with the pathos of this outsider label. These thoughts are more of a personal consideration. I come from a place that mixes myths of authenticity and deep belonging, (we are one of the few western European peoples to refer to ourselves as 'a race') and a continual contest as to which authenticity has legitimate claim to the 'home place'. Growing up in Belfast I felt threat of the state against claims to Irishness, whether political or cultural. Because of this and the fact we holidayed in Donegal every summer throughout my childhood, I held quite an idealised notion of the Republic as place were I could relax into my uncontested, unproblematic identity...