Stoned in Melanchol
Megan Doherty
In “Stoned in Melanchol”, Megan Doherty flips small town banality on its head by turning it into its own alternate universe that celebrates youth, subculture, and freedom. The University of Ulster graduate says she uses the series as a form of escapism for herself and her friends.
In 2018, Setanta Books published a limited edition Rizla pack style book from the project.
Megan Doherty is a 26 year old photographer hailing from Northern Ireland. Since graduating University of Ulster, Belfast in 2016, Doherty’s exhibited both locally and internationally and continues to build upon her current body of work, embodying ideas of youth, subculture, freedom and escape.
Doherty creates a darkly cinematic atmosphere to reflect the need for escapism within small-town life. In her native Derry, the Magnum Graduate Award 2016 shortlister creates a fictional, highly textured and colourful world in which recurring characters are played by friends. In her work, the scenarios are a combination of composed and documented, depicting the vibrant culture of young adulthood from a distinctly more female perspective.