CURATING THE BEST OF BELFAST./
BELFAST-BASED CURATOR BEN CROTHERS IS CURRENTLY CURATOR + COLLECTIONS MANAGER AT THE NAUGHTON GALLERY AT QUEENS UNIVERSITY BELFAST, RECOGNISED AS ONE OF THE LEADING UNIVERSITY GALLERIES IN THE UK + IRELAND./
BEN'S MAIN AREAS OF CURATORIAL RESEARCH CENTRE AROUND COMICS, ILLUSTRATION, SPORT, GENDER POLITICS + THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY - AN INTERESTING COMBINATION THAT OFTEN RESULTS IN VIBRANT + INTRIGUING EXHIBITIONS./
BEN'S BACKGROUND IN AMERICAN STUDIES MEANS THAT HE OFTEN TRAVELS TO THE US ON RESEARCH TRIPS. BUT, WHILE HE SPENDS A LOT OF TIME IN PLACES LIKE COLUMBUS + BROOKLYN, HE STILL CALLS BELFAST HOME./
WE ASKED HIM TO SHARE SOME OF HIS FAVOURITE PLACES IN HIS HOME CITY...
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GUILT TRIP
"I used to think that I had to go to New York for the best doughnuts, but then Guilt Trip came along + changed the game. From classic plain glazed doughnuts + Boston creams to more unusual flavour combinations, Guilt Trip also serves some of the city's best coffee + offers on-point branding + a great range of merch."
@guilttripcoffee
GREENS PIZZA
"Greens Pizza is something of a Belfast institution. From my 8th birthday party to my 32nd, I've enjoyed many a pizza here. With a relaxed, rustic atmosphere, their hearty pizzas, signature Dragon's Tongue bread, + secret recipe salad dressing are best enjoyed with family + friends."
@greenspizza
THE NAUGHTON GALLERY
"One of Belfast's most exciting visual arts spaces (I might be biased!), the Naughton Gallery features a diverse + inclusive contemporary arts programme, from its annual Sports exhibition series to shows including artists such as Penelope Gazin, Aidan Koch, Sarah Maple, + Tom of Finland. The gallery also runs an extensive programme of talks, screenings + special events."
@naughton_gallery
All photographs are copyright F1FTY except: Portrait photo (Courtesy of Ben Crothers); Guilt Trip (Instagram @guilttripcoffee); The Naughton Gallery (Instagram @naughton_gallery); Greens Pizza (Instagram @greenspizza); Mary & Mabel (Instagram @mary_and_mabel); Queens Film Theatre (Instagram @qftbelfast). This feature was not paid for in any way.