Mal McCann: This Is Not a War
Belfast Exposed is pleased to present Mal McCann: This Is Not a War, a powerful new exhibition by award-winning photographer and Picture Editor at The Irish News, Mal McCann.
With a career spanning over two decades, McCann has documented the social, political, and cultural life of Northern Ireland with an unflinching eye for human emotion and visual storytelling. His work ranges from breaking news and community events to long-form photo essays exploring themes of identity, resistance, and solidarity. Mal’s photography has been widely published and exhibited, and he is known for his commitment to ethical journalism and visual integrity. His images are not only records of events but also powerful commentaries on justice, and the human condition.
In recent years, McCann has been documenting Palestine solidarity movements in Belfast. Mal McCann: This Is Not a War captures the protests that have swept the city in response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Through his lens, McCann records the grief, rage, and unity of communities thousands of miles from the conflict yet deeply connected to it.
“These are not just photos of protest; they are documents of people refusing to look away.” — Mal McCann.
In a world of uncomfortable silence, it is the duty of journalists to tell the truth. At The Irish News, that means reporting with courage, clarity and compassion, from raw, emotional storytelling to consistent, humanising coverage of Palestinians and their lived realities. Mal’s work continues that mission, keeping Palestine visible in the public conversation.
This exhibition invites audiences to witness a moment in history through images that are as much about Belfast as they are about Gaza, images that speak to justice, memory, and the enduring power of solidarity.
The Artist
Mal McCann, Photographer & Picture Editor, is an award-winning Belfast-based photographer and the Picture Editor at The Irish News. With a career spanning over two decades, Mal has documented the social, political, and cultural life of Northern Ireland with a distinctive eye for human emotion and visual storytelling.
His work captures both the everyday and the extraordinary—from breaking news and community events to long-form photo essays exploring themes of identity, resistance, and solidarity. In recent years, Mal has focused on documenting Palestine solidarity movements in Belfast, using his lens to amplify voices often overlooked in mainstream narratives.
Mal’s photography has been widely published and exhibited, and he is known for his commitment to ethical journalism and visual integrity. His images are not only records of events but also powerful commentaries on justice, memory, and the human condition.
In partnership with:
Media
The Irish News – Irish News Gaza exhibition taking place in Belfast city centre
Belfast Media – Mal’s powerful photo exhibition chronicles Belfast’s response to Gaza genocide