Third
year photography students are holding an exhibition of their work
in Wolverhampton's Mander Shopping Centre.
 |
| Kelly,
in front of her work |
"We
were thinking of doing it in a warehouse out of town - so it looked
like an art gallery and it was more of a traditional exhibition,
but we thought we'd rather appeal to people in the area, and get
more people to see it." explained Kelly Stern, one of the photographers
involved.
"We're
doing a module called Photography Art Practice [taught by lecturer
John Fraser] - it involves creating an exhibition and producing
the work to go in it."
 |
| Detail
from a photo by Alfie Aldridge |
"We've
called it 'Sixteen Photographers In An Empty Shop' - there's sixteen
of us in the group - and we've had to find a venue, do fundraising,
promotion, everything."
"It's
because we are going to be photographers," continued student
Andreas Tsarouchis, from Greece, in slightly hesitant English.
"We must know how to organise an exhibition - and for ourselves
- for in the future... and of course to learn to work as a team."
Hanging
on the shop's white walls are the student's photos of pig masks,
tattoos, apples, beaches, young boxers and local scenes.
 |
| Detail
from a photo by Nelson Douglas |
Kelly's
artwork features people partially covered in labels and corporate
logos. Ryan, her young brother, can be seen in a Buzz Lightyear
costume - a label across his face.
"I'm a joint student - I do photography and media. I took this
project on more as a media student." said Kelly.
"I'm concerned about globalisation - the fact that we are all
kind of consumed by all these products - that's what my work is
about. Our children are consumed from an early age."
 |
| Andreas,
with his photos |
Andreas's
photos use reflections to make connections.
"They
are about personal matters." said Andreas, pointing towards
his work.
"For
example here is the entrance to Asda [next to the Molineux]. I am
not from here, I am not English, - but it has become part of my
everyday life. Back home I never went to the supermarket - my mother
is going instead.
"I
did not expect that a supermarket could be part of my life!"
 |
| Detail
from a photo by Anthony Atkins |
Another
of his photos shows Andreas reflected in a television screen.
"If
you look carefully you will see from my expression that I am very
scared because television is part of my life, of course, but it
can be very scaring." he said.
"Because with all of the programmes, the reality shows... I
don't think we are going in the right way. We should have more documentaries
on the nature of everything! Not just reality shows!"
How
have Wolverhampton's shoppers reacted to their exhibition?
 |
| Detail
from artwork by Kelly Stern |
"We've
had really positive feedback," said Kelly.
"I think it's quite good because many of the people who walk
past wouldn't usually visit art galleries.
"They're drawn in and come in and have a look!"
=======
The
'Sixteen Photographers In An Empty Shop' exhibition can be seen
in Wolverhampton's Mander Shopping Centre until Thursday 20th of
January 2005.
Directions: Enter the shopping centre opposite Beatties department
store, take the 'up' escalator and you'll see the student's shop
on your left!
|
