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Everything You Know Is Wrong: The Outsider Art of Squarebear

Shaped by the Troubles and their aftermath in Northern Ireland, Squarebear found his voice through art. Now, he is discovering whether it can resonate beyond home.

Squarebear grew up in Londonderry, in the shadow of the Troubles. His life was shaped by experiences that left a lasting mark. Navigating trauma, the realities of drug culture and mental health challenges, Squarebear found in art a way to make sense of his background. It gave him a voice and a means of telling stories about people and communities he believes are too often overlooked.

For years, he has developed his work outside the traditional art world, drawing on his own experiences and the place he calls home. Now, he has an opportunity to share that work with a wider audience beyond Derry for the first time. As the moment approaches, excitement and uncertainty sit side by side as he reflects on what it means to take such a personal body of work beyond the community that shaped it.

With intimate access, this documentary follows Squarebear through a pivotal chapter in his life. Candid and deeply personal, it explores the experiences behind his work, the impact of growing up in Derry during the Troubles, and the role art has played in helping him move forward. At its heart, it is the story of a man discovering whether the voice he found through art can resonate beyond home.

11 months left to watch

29 minutes

On TV

Tomorrow22:00

Credits

RoleContributor
DirectorEmmet Colton
ProducerEamonn Devlin
Executive ProducerPaul McGuigan
Executive ProducerRaphaelle O'Loan
EditorEmmet Colton
Assistant EditorAdam O'Connor

Broadcasts

  • Monday22:40
  • Tomorrow22:00