Four Blows of the Leather is an immersive, narrative-driven project exploring the emotional imprint of schooling on Irish male identity. Rooted in personal and collective memory, it focuses on how rigid disciplinary systems and moral dogma in educational institutions have shaped emotional expression, masculinity, and inner conflict.

At its core are semi-structured interviews, intimate oral histories that reveal stories of camaraderie, repression, vulnerability, and resilience. These reflections are paired with contemporary portraits captured in symbolically charged spaces: disused schools, crumbling classrooms, and abandoned schoolhouses, evoking a haunting sense of past and present.

The title refers to a common disciplinary ritual, serving as a metaphor for internalized control and emotional suppression. Rather than simply recounting trauma, the work creates space for reflection and healing, offering a redefinition of masculinity. Through sound, image, and story, it prompts viewers to consider how education continues to echo long after we leave its walls.