‘Extraterritorial’ is the term used to describe the status enjoyed by diplomatic missions under international law. The term means that the diplomatic mission is considered part of the territory of its home country rather than being part of the host country and, as a result, is exempt from local law. The host country may not enter the representing country’s embassy without permission and, as such, is a part of another country, yet within Ireland. Within the context of these extraterritorial spaces, the images explore the geo-politics of space and how culture influences and changes the space. These interior spaces become metaphors for social and cultural relations – the inter-relationship between the culture of the host country and the home country and the intra-relationships between different countries across the world. In these spaces of culture it becomes possible to consider the geo-politics of boundaries and borders, the development of globalization, how cultures define and mark identity, and ultimately how we make sense of and live in this world.

In carrying out this project, I requested permission from the foreign embassies based in Dublin, Ireland to photograph the room typically used to host receptions. Though some did refuse, many were happy to allow permission. I also created a book of the project which added a ‘travel log’ of encounters and experiences in the embassy visits.

Extraterritorial Spaces has been exhibited at:

• Museum of Contemporary Photography, Photo Festival Ireland, 2022

• Mumbai PhotoFestival, 2015

• EV+A, Limerick City Art Gallery, Limerick, 2008 (www.eva.ie)

• Talent Latent, 2008, as part of SCAN Photography Festival, Tarragona, Spain (www.tarragona.cat/lajuntament/conselleries/cultura/arts-visuals-i-exposicions/festival-scan/)