Martin Curran is a Specialist Oral Surgeon whose career has spanned decades of clinical leadership, mentoring and service to the dental profession in Northern Ireland.

A pioneer of primary care oral surgery, Martin established one of the region’s first specialist oral surgery practices in 1987, helping to shape advanced care outside the hospital setting. Over the decades, the practice has grown significantly in reputation and scope, reflecting his commitment to clinical excellence, training, and patient-centred care.

As he approaches his seventieth year, he continues to support the practice in an administrative and mentoring role, with wellbeing remaining a central theme throughout his work.

Alongside dentistry, Martin has always been a quiet observer. His interest in photography was initially inspired by his father, also a keen photographer. Photography has accompanied him throughout his family life, professional gatherings, and key moments within the BDA community, where he has long served as an unofficial event photographer.

While he does not consider himself a photographer in the formal sense, he believes deeply in the power of a single image to hold meaning, memory, and emotional truth.

Featured Artwork: The Space Between

Limited edition photographic print, A3 size, framed

The Space Between was captured spontaneously just before 5 a.m. on a summer morning at Kelly’s Hotel, Rosslare, Ireland, during Martin’s 60th birthday celebration vacation.

On this early morning, he noticed a scene that stopped him in his tracks: silhouetted trees framing a calm sea, clouds gently breaking apart, and the first soft light of dawn appearing on the horizon.

The photograph immediately stood out. It became the centre page of the family photo album, created by Kelly’s as a memento, and remained quietly significant for over a decade. When considering a piece from his photographic collection to submit, the image returned to him with clarity, and it found its rightful home.

He paired the photograph with a short reflective text and titled it The Space Between a phrase that speaks to the transition between difficulty and renewal.

“This image represents that moment between darkness and light,” Martin explains. “The pause where nothing is forced, but everything begins to change.”

Printed as an A3 artwork with accompanying text beneath the image, the piece reflects mindfulness, balance, and recovery.

“This image was captured in the early hours of a summer morning, shortly before 5 a.m., from Kelly’s Hotel in Rosslare. Night had not yet lifted, yet the coming day was already present. The sun sat just below the horizon, unseen but quietly changing everything.
The foreground remains in shadow. Trees stand in silhouette, holding the darkness without fear or resistance. Beyond them, the sea is calm and steady, gently lapping against the shore in a rhythm that feels grounding and reassuring. The morning is still, unhurried, and free of demand.
In the distance, the clouds are beginning to disperse, allowing a soft line of light to emerge. The horizon brightens almost imperceptibly, reminding us that change does not need to be sudden to be real. Light arrives gradually, patiently, in its own time.
This image reflects a moment familiar to many in mental health recovery: the space between difficulty and renewal. It speaks to those times when darkness has not yet passed, but hope has already begun. Nothing is forced. Nothing is rushed. The scene invites presence rather than expectation.
As a mindfulness image, it encourages stillness and awareness—listening to the quiet, noticing the breath, and allowing the moment to be exactly as it is. As a metaphor for recovery, it reassures us that progress can be gentle and unseen, yet deeply transformative.
Within minutes, the sun would rise and illuminate the entire scene. But it is this moment before that carries the message: healing often begins quietly, and light returns even when we are not yet ready to see it.”

Its stillness invites reflection, reassurance, and quiet optimism, making it especially suited to contemplative spaces.

Limited Edition Details: 100 copies.

The framed print with text is available for the minimum bid of £100. You can bid for the piece on the auction website or at the exhibition.

25 unframed, signed A3 prints are also available at the exhibition, with a minimum donation of £50 each.

Photography, Mindfulness and Wellbeing

The photograph was unplanned, taken instinctively in response to the beauty of the moment. For Martin, this spontaneity is key. Photography becomes mindful not through preparation, but through attention, noticing what is already there and allowing yourself to pause.

Looking back at the image today, the feeling remains unchanged. The photograph continues to offer calm and perspective, a reminder that renewal does not always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it arrives gently.

Martin has long championed mental wellbeing within dentistry, contributing to mentoring initiatives and helping compile wellbeing resource directories that are now embedded within local health systems.

“It’s important for people to look after their mental wellbeing and dentistry is an especially demanding profession. Knowing where to go for help is important. The Wellbeing Support for the Dental Team, developed by the BDA Benevolent Fund, is another very helpful catalogue of organisations that can help the dental community support their wellbeing and build resilience.”

Martin also explains how physical activity has played a large part in supporting his wellbeing. He is an enthusiastic and competitive swimmer, has taken part in triathlons and marathons, and continues to support outdoor events such as these, managing local marathon stations to help the runners.

Creativity Beyond the Lens

Photography is one part of Martin’s wider creative and reflective life. He also finds expression through writing. Most recently, he authored a children’s book inspired by his grandson, titled “Jack the Star of Christmas.” This was printed independently and shared with family and community, much to their delight. Across all these pursuits runs a consistent theme: observation, patience, and care for others.

We’re very grateful to Martin for his creative submission, and the artwork will stand proudly to support other people with their mental health.

An online auction website will go live on 1st May, where you will be able to begin bidding on the artwork.

Meet the other Artists

Below is a selection of other featured artists. Click on the links to see their artwork submissions, each deeply connected to mindfulness and mental wellbeing.

Join us at The Smile Within art exhibition in May and make a difference, one pledge, one piece of art, one smile at a time.

We look forward to seeing you there.

The online auction website is now live.

You can bid for the artwork online, as well as at the event.

Online bidding ends at 3:45 pm on 16 May. The winning bidder can collect their artwork on Saturday, 16 May, from the stand after 4pm. If you (or a trusted friend) are unable to take your piece with you, we’re happy to arrange delivery. Please note that postage and packaging costs will be added and confirmed after purchase.