Next Exhibition Opening 04 July 2011 @ 18:00

Defining Images: From Countries at Opposite Ends of our most populous Continents by Garth Lezard

A graduate photojournalist from the University of Wales, Swansea, Lezard has been shooting conceptual global photographic bodies of work since 2001.
The images on show are from his body of work titled, “Defining Images: From Countries at Opposite Ends of our most Populous Continents”. This series was captured from 2001 - 2003. This work is a tribute to his lens and 35mm film assisted inquiry. The images and text reveal some of his discoveries around photojournalism and a personal inner and wider search.
Recently Lezard completed a more concerned body of photographic work. This series titled, “Leonard Cheshire International: Home and Services, Creating Opportunities”. This series was captured from 2004 - 2010. Here Lezard visited local and many international branches of the Leonard Cheshire homes family. Whilst there Lezard photographed the people living and working there as well as the many facilities available to residents, which included sporting, cultural work opportunities for the less abled. This series was to raise awareness and funds for the many homes and other disabled communities. You can view the images at: cleints.digitalvalley.co.za/garth_lezard_leonard_cheshire.
Currently Lezard is working on a project combining his love for global travel, endurance, sport and conceptual photojournalism. The series titled, “On my Bicycle Through Four of our Most Populous Continents”, which he started in 2010, involves Lezard cycling through four countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and Central America. To date he has cycled from Durban to Harare, and most recently From Athens to Barcelona. he already has a route planned for the remaining continents and hopes to complete them as soon as possible. 

Next Exhibition Opening 04 July 2011 @ 18:00

SMILE by Guy Anderson

The Joy Tour 2010 was a motorcycle adventure through southern and east Africa over the course of seven months. It incorporated the unique idea of printing a portrait photo for local people that were met along the way, and giving it to them to keep. The trip has resulted in the coffee table book “SMILE!”
This exhibition showcases some of the images from the book. All other images in the book are also available for order, with a number of printing and framing options.
Below is the introduction taken from the book:

It was a common dream that brought the Joy Tour team together. Hardus Bouwer, Matt Hayter and Guy Anderson have felt the lure of African exploration for as long as they can remember.
Then finally, in June 2010, the time came to hit the road and head north. Motorcycles were the vehicles of choice, to allow flexibility in the adventure, and provide the opportunity to discover an Africa off the beaten track.
In addition to just enjoying what this continent has to offer, the team decided to incorporate a unique concept that would enable them to give something back to the local people along the way.
By carrying a portable printer on the back of his bike, Guy was able to print photographs straight from a camera while on the move. For many, it was the first time they had ever seen a photograph of themselves, and so being able to keep the print left them overjoyed, and with a happy memory to treasure for years to come.
These prints were proudly shown to neighbors and friends, or set up for display in humble homesteads. These very same photographs, which are scattered around the sub- continent, fill the pages of this book.
The inspiration for this "smile catching" came from previous travels through rural parts of Africa, during which children were unable to contain their excitement at simply seeing a photo of themselves on the screen of a digital camera. If they were so delighted with the short lived experience, then surely being a proud owner of their very own printed photograph would be even more special?
As it turned out, it was so. The Joy Tour concept proved its worth time and time again, and much more. The difficulty of carrying a printer, piles of paper, and spare ink was far outweighed at the sight of pure joy on the faces of the friends made along the way. Friendly interactions, prompted by this concept, immersed the team in the local communities, and bridged the gap between different languages, cultures and religions.
In addition to all this, the Joy Tour moulded the journey into an experience that could never have been dreamed up by the wildest of imaginations. The plan had been to complete an eight week round trip through Southern and East Africa, with Uganda set as the most northern destination and turn around point. In reality, nothing went according to this plan.
Break downs, malaria, near arrests, bike accidents and many more unforeseen incidents meant that the deadline of the trip had to be extended again and again. Hardus had to head home after nearly 3 months and Matt followed suit 3 months later. Guy thumbed his last lift home a full 7 months since the start of the trip, bike-less and broke, but with the photographs and memories to tell this story.
These memoirs are simply snippets from the full story, and the photographs are merely an insight into the smiles that inspired it all.

Photography by Allister Charles Christie

13 June 2011 - 2 July 2011

Pies. Photographic Print. 118.9cm x 84.1cm. Price on Request

Mushrooms. Photographic Print. 118.9cm x 84.1cm. Price on Request

Lamb. Photographic Print. 118.9cm x 84.1cm. Price on Request

Octopus. Photographic Print. 118.9cm x 84.1cm. Price on Request

Oysters. Photographic Print. 118.9cm x 84.1cm. Price on Request 

Rabbit. Photographic Print. 118.9cm x 84.1cm. Price on Request 

Salmon. Photographic Print. 118.9cm x 84.1cm. Price on Request

Venison. Photographic Print. 118.9cm x 84.1cm. Price on Request

Said by the Artist:

"I became a photographer to capture the subtle nuances that people overlook when it comes to a person's nature, however dark or off-putting it is at first. There have always been images that I've wanted to see materialize and that is what inspired me to get to work. I aim at showing images that would make some uncomfortable. Although not everyone will enjoy my work, I take pride in the impact that will occur in the few. I like to deviate from conventionality and invoke fascination."