Short and sweet this one, its been a while since I had the urge to write.
This sort of links with what I am part-time creating whilst working, but mainly worked as a reminder and a real nice Saturday.
In March 2025 Grimbarians/Humberlands announced their first HUMBER PORTRAIT PRIZE call out as part of a festival.
Grimbarians is more than a not-for-profit organization. It is a creative movement, born to change the story line of the town and the way people identify the area. Through documenting and showcasing the lives of local people, we aim to promote confidence in the area, increase pride and build a stronger, more positive reputation for Great Grimsby because #grimsbyreallyismore
They also have a beautiful photography studio, they host social meet ups and so much more.
The exhibition opened on 16th October and throughout the week there was many different events hosted. On Saturday I went to a event In Conversation with Brigitte Lardinios & Amanda Crawley Jackson – two powerful women with different backgrounds coming together to mentor, collab and create. The discussing was around exploring photography, place, culture practice, and of course hear about their incredible careers.
When you are sort of familiar but not quite aware of the beautiful “extent” … well I only had to take part in one gathering.
The story here is about “culturally deprived North”.
For starters, the location where Grimbarians are based is the best. Plains of industrial landscapes, buildings, old and new, clean and empty roads, railway line, odd passer-by, sea air and beautiful silence. So you wonder: are we lucky that the area is not claimed by keen investors and legacy washed away/community removed/brick demolished? South can’t afford this. We are lucky to have these semi-occupied edgelands, the escape and wholaa! there are small hidden gems thriving quietly.
Secondly, the space where both studio and venue/exhibition space is great. Same story here: reclaimed old building, repurposed and with its history still breathing in the brick.
The exhibition space is user friendly/lit beautifully with and without studio lights, big fan of it. Certain charm to be there working with great people. And yes, I tell them that the best studio locally is in Grimsby. It goes down well every time.
Photo above: Jack Gleadow and Grimbarian studio 2025
Exhibition space too don’t disappoint. It almost inspires me to want to gather a portfolio to exhibit. Invite people to an opening and celebrate being a photographer.
Again I ask if I am deprived for having access to an affordable studio, exhibition space with a team that will move on even if they didn’t receive the funding to go ahead, regular meet ups free to access? We are lucky to have a creative community who want to grow and build a network, collaborate and share. All the nice things.
For all above reasons wanted to mention this little experience last week and congratulations to all photographers involved in Humber Portrait Awards.
…and here we are, here I am. 2024 and ongoing great city for culture, events, communities and friends. The city that is home and place to grow, stay and root yourself deep. 2024 has been a storm for me and very last day of it I am lastminutedotcom, because life. Life that is busy, work that is changing and challenging, free time that is little. I wasn’t sure if I will get to this point to summarise my year with culture in Hull, I silently wanted to give this up, but I couldn’t. I have realised that I have to hold tight to what I do good until I can’t, including being in the city with camera and deliver this every year.
Time and technology has been my enemy to achieve this and I have sworn a lot, so words will be less. But hello to all people who was part of my year, amazing organisations, events, clients to make my day/week.
I have visited Ferens Art Gallery three times this year and it truly is one of the best free to enter art galleries in the UK.
Jason Wilsher-Mills: Are We There Yet?
I remember from around 2017/18 visiting Artlink for one of his exhibitions, meeting him and thinking how unique he is. And here he was, in Ferens exhibiting large scale masterpieces. Really really good. Even though not directly interactive, it felt like we, the members of public, are part of it. The art was for us.
Round two at Ferens Art Gallery:
Ferens Open Exhibition
Two visits worthy, 2024 delivered extraordinary work. I have been to Ferens Open Exhibition every year since 2015 and this was my favourite. It was rich with variety and mind boggling art work. Children’s section was adorable, will never forget the cute fox painting.
Ferens Art Gallery change the in-house exhibitions too, so most times it is a treat for the eye. At my visits I don’t squeeze through crowds of people, and it nice to consume art in piece.
Absolutely Cultured have truly kept the momentum going since 2017. With new directors board, events/exhibitions/workshops/talks have carried on being exciting and definitely resumes to be the heart of cultural scene in Hull.
Humber Street Gallery/Absolutely Cultured have truly kept the momentum going since 2017. With new directors board, events/exhibitions/workshops/talks have carried on being exciting and definitely resumes to be the heart of cultural scene in Hull.
Fellow photographer and friend Abby reminded me of the opening night event and after a long day I did drag my tired ass and I am so glad I did. It was a great exhibition, especially considering how many people it brought to the gallery and touched heart strings.
At the opening night it was more of a catch up and socialising, enjoying being there, so I probably saw two photos. So I went back again with a purpose to see the exhibition.
You and Me in HU3 presented the work of two artists, Russell Boyce and George Norris. The exhibition wove together a series of black and white photographs taken over 40 years ago with ongoing work shot in colour. Through this duality, You and Me in HU3 charted almost half a century of change across an area of Hull which has seen vast social transformation since the decline of the fishing industry in the mid 20th century.
Composed of distinct series of images, the exhibition reflected a breadth of social issues whether historic or contemporary. In “Changing Times”, Russell presented an intimate set of photographs documenting daily life for a young mum during the 1980s housing crisis, whilst “Rag-Bone” explored the once prevalent but now declining occupation of the rag-and-bone man. George’s series “Gypsy Childhood” was a set of images born out of the artist’s sustained generational relationship with one of Hull’s horse-trading Gypsy communities, meanwhile “A Love Letter to Hull” was a celebratory ode from the artist to his city, loaded with warmth, love and familiarity.
The opening was full house bonkers amazing, which I was lucky to be part of. Bursting with street art culture, graffiti, photographs, installations, a screening, good vibes, music, good people, possibly true rumours that Banksy himself was there, it was truly one of the highlights of the year.
Live Like Legends is a bold and compelling celebration of Hull’s Street Art and graffiti scene. Taking place across two floors at Humber Street Gallery, the exhibition explores some of the joys and complexities of this unique form of public expression which has had a striking presence in the urban landscape of Hull since the early 1980s.
Bringing together many generations of artists who have made critical contributions to the development of this vibrant and far-reaching cultural scene over the past forty years, Live Like Legends presents newly commissioned artworks highlighting the diversity of creative practice within this artistic community.
Working collaboratively, the artists and an eclectic mix of contributors celebrate self-expression through highly stylised graffiti and multimedia work, alongside curated archival material including photography and previously unseen footage. This important cultural archive provides context to how the graffiti scene intersects with other aspects of street and youth culture, and alongside society more broadly.
Included in this exhibition is work by Detour, Ekoe, K148, Kev Le Kat, Leebo, Lonny POP, mike sprout, Mr Joe, NoHone, OBOUT, Oman, Paris, Pesh, Pinky, SI2, Skeg, Sophie Cash, Spamdog, Vrok, Xenz, Yours and Ziml.
Luis Bustamante is a Chilean photographer. He and his wife, Carmen, arrived in Hull in December 1974, as political refugees. Their son, Sebastian Bustamante, is a British-Chilean artist, curator, and researcher.
On 11 September 1973, a military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet seized control of the South American country of Chile. The coup deposed the socialist president, Salvador Allende. The Pinochet regime launched an extensive and brutal terror campaign against Allende’s supporters, including kidnapping, arbitrary arrests, torture, and executions. Groups in Britain and elsewhere worked to highlight these abuses and to support victims and their families. The Humberside branch of the Chile Solidarity Campaign organised for 30 Chilean exiles to move to the city—Luis and Carmen were among them.
As well as continuing his studies at the University of Hull, Luis walked the streets, photographing what he saw. “The camera had two purposes: it was a connection with a new life and a shield that enabled me to look at it,” he later said. These images vividly capture a sense of everyday life in Hull in the mid-1970s, a period of significant social and political change.
To mark the fiftieth anniversary of Chilean refugees arriving in Hull, Cold Junction unites Luis’s photography with Sebastian’s ongoing project El Otoño. Bringing together objects, photographs, and video, Sebastian’s work explores his status as a second-generation exile. El Otoño honours those who were disappeared, those who stayed, those who left, and those still trying to build a better future in Chile.
For the start, I haven’t been in Artlink space for years and I was amazed how beautifully the space is renovated, especially top floor kept with so much light and features.
The exhibition was very very good, the curation was exceptional. Me and my partner thoroughly enjoyed it. I was drawn to small details in a space that has so much breathing space and light. The story humble and perfect content for photography touching topics even more relevant today.
In the past I have worked for the festival and it is a intense job. After I winded down with photography in 2022 and stopped focusing on always being the photographer at major events in Hull, I didn’t have much content to show-off. This year in my career was focused on estate and odd creative projects, so I really wanted to be at the festival as a photographer. It was a great day, day for myself, with fluid brief created for myself. Highlights was the Parcel Project and Sync or Swim by Tamara&Jo
These two powerhouses always deliver. It was burst of colour and wackiness. As per usual crowds loved it. So did my camera and my photographers soul. And, hell, I was so glad to see so many familiar faces in the audience.
Freedom Festival overall was full of sunshine, the crem-de-la-crem of Hull’s finest people, great events and happy vibe, Hull transformed for the festival duration of busy busy bee town.
At the festival I bumped into Curiosity Hull which leads me to a little job I did for them few months ago at Pipe&Glass.
Curiosity Hull is a movement toward greater understanding, increased knowledge and ingrained accuracy. Taking questions, queries and requests from members of the population of Hull, Curiosity strives to provide the best, correct guidance and answers.
All content is made by the people of Hull, scrutinised by librarians from Hull’s public libraries and presented as accurately and helpfully as possible.
Curiosity is brought to you by the James Reckitt Library Trust, which has dedicated the last 100 years to increasing the provision of public libraries in Hull.
Here are the team in Hull at the Freedom Festival. We had a lovely chat, we talked Hull, David Burns from Radio Humberside, Clive Sullivan Way and what I do.
This was a quick but grand opportunity. The team travelled to Pipe& Glass in South Dalton to recreate ancient biscuit recipes by a Michelin Star Chef for a feature. Stunning location and a unique opportunity. Good biscuits too.
As you might of heard, I have had an interesting year in my career, so sometimes my planned culture ventures didn’t happen. Like this one below. Hull Central Library exhibition space was suppose to have an street art exhibition, but I missed it and instead I had a quick look at the James Reckitt legacy.
The year brought the usual: pretty regular jobs, new opportunities, projects, but I more and more struggled for time to have free time to do self-imitated work or culture ventures. The consequence is not very much content and some cool events missed. But I don’t dwell on it, I am trying to learn to understand that I can’t have it all.
In early 2024 I had to deal with a new challenge and I started freelancing(in a way) in estate/property photography industry. It wasn’t the plan, but I started building a portfolio and planned to have a separate business branch. I didn’t want to, I don’t think the industry is in line with other photography pay-wise, it is not about the heart of photography, I quickly learned that it is about “quick-shit-fast-turnaround” and as usual I wanted extra better. Spring/summer in my memory will be like a storm of shit where I tried to succeed and built the presence in the new industry, but I also looked very hard for sustainable alternative. Our Big Picture came together again and we mingled, went to Leeds Photo Festival, I stopped hosting photography classes and closed that chapter for a bit and was busy printing personal archives.
We also had a little meet-up and workshop hosted by Wes at the gallery.
And then we went on a walk in Cleethorpes as a collective to be with the place. It was interesting and insightful to walk round the edge of Cleethorpes and talk. Initially the requirement was not to treat it as a photo-walk, but I soooo cheated.
Our Big Picture is not quite Hull, but it is close enough and very important part of my 2024, so I have included this in the summary.
Our Big Picture Gallery and organisation is a vital part of North Lincolnshire culture/arts scene, listed building is a home to small and cosy exhibition space, recommend a visit.
The decision to stop hosting photography classes was a little difficult, but at the time I couldn’t justify the energy I invested versus money it was bringing and I paused it for a bit, but after great feedback and encouragement from my students, I am hoping to start my own “thing”. Last workshop hosted didn’t quite work out like planned, but never the less, it was very good and I felt very lucky with my last bunch.
This festival is family. Jed and Gary working hard every year to bring the festival together to make Hull laugh. I try and visit at least 3 shows and this year it was very good selection.
Other small things happened: visit to Warrington to see fellow Latvian photographer Lasma Poisa’s exhibition Motherhood Uncovered for a little research for my own ongoing personal project.
Did some outings to scout for Halloween shoot locations and came close to discover a real local gem, but the fence/cameras stopped me to get closer [guess where this is]
Here we are, still cultured. I really want 2025 to be more, but I am not making promises. The incentive to go out and account for it at the end of year feels like the last remains of my creative practice and work, but it is not true. I am still alive, here and people in Hull are keeping me on my happy toes. it just gets busy and I wish for more hours in the day, while dealing with the hours I have.
Thank you to all the clients, friends, organisations and my family for being my heartbeat.
The story and my involvement in this project is a wonderful example how great people across the region can come together and create something outstanding.
I guess it started with a idea and a pot of funding available – Stewart Baxter from Hinterland Creative saw a potential and need for a photography project across Humber region. He united with the amazing local artist/photographer Anna Bean [aka Bluebeany] and mapped out cities/towns that hides talented photography interests.
When I was approached to help out I had no second thoughts – I am great believer that being a photographer and road to success is networking, or as I call it “make friends”.
And this project was all about making friendships, meet other photographers, inspire someone that lacks courage and be inspired myself.
My role was to document the project and I also spoke about my work on few occasions.
The project was everything that we ever wanted and the exhibition is a beautiful collection of that.
We travelled to Scunthorpe and Driffield, also making things happen here in Hull.
We had amazing people involved – Christopher Manson, Joanne Coates with workshops to develop skills in documentary and storytelling photography.
We had inspiring photographers and filmmakers like Alec Gill and Katie from Flygirl Films, our own Stewart Baxter thrived as a photographer throughout the project and Anna Bean made sure we all dare to experiment with our ideas.
We went on BBC Radio Humberside to tell Burnsy and people in Humberside that we are here and ready to exhibit and showcase the work we’ve done. We went to GF Smiths to learn about paper and photographic printing, we created newspapers through Newspaper Club for our project and we had a nosy at the HIP Gallery in Hull. We also ran a workshop for image editing and post process and we for sure made friends like Pam in Driffield.
I will allow images to speak for themselves in the gallery below:
Some of the project participants were handed with Lomography B&W film cameras and that was another great addition to the project:
To reflect on the project – it was an amazing journey that made me feel like I am part of something important. I’m so lucky to be part of the project and, most importantly – lucky to have met Stewart, Chris, Joanne, James, Mike, Lee, Ann, Ivy and everyone else involved. They inspired me and gave me more confidence and I sure feel like I gained more than ever expected. It was a pleasure to document everything along the way.
Same time this week I was rushing around and getting ready for the opening night for the fourth Artist Takeover at Queens House Showcase run by ENRG Hull.
It clearly has been a challenging experience, since it has taken me a full week to man up and write the blog post about the exhibition and opening night.
Over the past year I’ve been building a bond with Creative ENRG Hull. family. It started as few artist workshop photography assignments, ENRG Hull ambassador filming with Fly girl Films and being interviewed myself for few times as one of the people who had help setting up a creative business.
Over several months in 2018 Queens House Showcase featured in my monthly blogs of culture wonders in Hull with exhibitions and other ARTIST TAKEOVERS.
It was a slow but steady friendship and as the result I was asked to be part of the last ARTIST TAKEOVER of the programme.
We were asked to exhibit work around Landscape and from that point on the whole experience took a twist that I was not exactly ready for.
I am known for certain work – Hull based, bright, happy, celebratory and creative events, festivals, client work and so on.. and to show to a very public eye a slice HOME GLORY series felt strange. Even today when it has been a week and I am already planning activities throughout exhibition it feels out of the character.
There was uncertainty of how people will embrace the work I’m exhibiting and the story I am trying to tell.
The work exhibited focuses on Latvia in the 21st Century and the derelict landscape across the countryside due to migration to cities and abroad. I say “focuses” because I found that the landscape my eye can catch is different to a standard scenery landscape.
Every time I visit Latvia, especially past three years, I feel the urge to bring my professional gear and eye and capture the home land. It varies from silly set ups, to portraits with photogenic friends, to travels and explorations, often focus is close to my family members and family home/land. It is a another dimension of thought process that I don’t often get chance to use in the UK and the imagery has got special place in my photographic collection.
The exhibition includes five photographs and installation that aims to engage on more than one level with the viewers. The installation includes a special diary that my sister wrote me whilst living in one of the remote regions of Latvia and a newspaper article from 1992 that my grandmother passed on to me few years ago.
The other two artists exhibiting are Nigel Walker and Pierino Hristov.
Photographer Nigel Walker lives in East Yorkshire and has been making photographs for over fifty years. Most recently he has been concerned with why he takes them and how they are used. He supports the postulation that meaningful photography should comprise of geography, autobiography and metaphor.For Artist Takeover #4 he presents a new body of work, ‘Say Something’, which considers the distance between current generations and seeks to encourage a reconciliation through communication. The East Coast signals a border and semaphore a way of telling – a concept, an idea and a cipher as much as a means. At 17 years old, the model, Olivia, is on the cusp of moving into the responsibilities of adulthood. How will she choose to make her world and negotiate with others who have made it? How will she and her generation change it, preserve it and mould it for themselves? This collection of works explores this challenge …Nigel will be in the gallery on Wednesday 13th February, join us for refreshments and cake & chat to Nigel about his work. He’ll also be giving an in depth talk about ‘Say Something’ and other projects at 6 pm on Wednesday 20th February – see you there!
A Bulgarian artist now resident in Hull, Pierino uses a vibrant palette to combine traditional and contemporary motifs in celebration of enduring heritages and landscapes. Using digital approaches and inspired by the flower filled terrains of northern Bulgaria, his complex arrangements of florals, colours and patterns echo shared traditions of quilting & stitching. Producing a fresh and contemporary fusion of familiar forms, his carefully constructed arrangements reflect the changing seasons and their moods. Influenced by David Hockney’s digital palettes, works are conceived to bring joyful and uplifting affects into everyday experience.
Source: ENRG website
Before I am getting into the opening night, I want to say massive thank you to Christoper Hopkins and Gill Hobson. Both pushed me to dive deep and helped to make the most of the opportunity.
Massive shout out to Ditto 4 Design Printing – they are the best printing company I worked with across the board. They saved my day twice and the delivery of images was super quick.
On the day of the opening I was still finishing up the display that involved searching for rubble, polishing up the artwork and figuring out what to expect.
With no major expectations and excitement to meet the other two artist the night began on a really positive note.
It made me very happy to see faces of John Gilbert, Oliver Fisher+familiar faces. Thank you to previous artists exhibiting Emma Garness and Lucy Kelly. Thank you for coming and making me feel happy.
In the following weeks I will be present at the gallery come and say hello!
22nd February – THAT FRIDAY FEELING – free photo booth and chat with me
28th February – HOME GLORY in conversation with me
7th March – FREE PHOTO BOOTH AND WE WILL BE DOING A SOCIAL EXPERIMENT OR SEARCH FOR YOUR TOUCHSTONES AND TALISMANS – I invite all my friends and family to come along and take part!
14th March – last day of the exhibition – come in, say hello and tell us what you thought of the exhibition.
Also if you would like to read my contribution to the Creative ENRG and ENRG Hull project, click here:
When making decisions of what culture events to visit for my 42nd week of culture, I had some thinking to do.
I know how important my photo challenge is to myself, how I have made it such a big part of my weekly life and all that. BUT I had to switch my business and sensible brain on – all big/great ideas for the photographic future of mine are requiring work and time. Therefore I decided to culture myself just enough to feel like I was part of it, but not too much so that it takes hours on edit and writing.
I sometimes pick culture that is in the same route. This route is not usually in my weekly wonders, so it is extra special when I decide to do some walking and travelling.
I have been there for few exhibitions this year and each time the space is transformed beautifully – it is versatile and pristine.
First one was the DYSLEXIA PORTRAIT just outside the main gallery. The small exhibit shines spotlight on dyslexia and ways how people suffering with it cope. Exhibition by Hull Photographic Artist Miranda Harr is a photographic project which explores and challenges our ideas about how people with dyslexia see the world.
This collection was the highlight and a surprise of the day. I was not aware that this is opening on that day, but hunting the DYSLEXIA PORTRAIT this treasure was found.
I have to apologise to the artists and organisers for publishing this, if you made the decision not to allow photographs. As one of the first people there, the decision was still up in the air, so half way, I was asked to stop taking photos just in case.
However I have to stick to my duties [bad girl].
The whole experience was the pleasure to the eye and the lens. Even the first visitors had some beautiful characteristics.
The organisers have stated that humour comes in many forms. Dry, wry, sly, satirical, absurd, droll, witty, crude, bawdy, raw, black – just some of the many epithets associated with it. Perhaps humour has to be qualified, because what one person finds funny is not always guaranteed to make the next person roll around in the aisles. The humour that flavours this exhibition is generally of wry kind – more likely to raise a smile or provoke feelings of recognition than elicit gales of laughter.
And that pretty much sums up the exhibition. One of the volunteers pointed out to Grayson Perry’s Print for A Politician 2005 and I am so glad she did. That was one of my favourites at the end. The humour exhibited and shown to the public is an intelligent and leaves space for some extra thoughts.
Each day visitors are allowed to take a joke home too. I didn’t really laugh about mine, just thought how silly people can be, even if the situation is not taken from real life.
ARTLINK is my sweet little treat every now and then – there isn’t generous amounts of space or fantastic lighting, but each artist exhibiting brings their own little world into the gallery. This time it is sculptor Brian Griffith with the puppets as self portraits from his friends and colleagues.
Looking at art of this kind, I feel slight jealousy that I don’t have the space and the talent. My imagination extend to great lengths, but the execution isn’t my strong point. Photography sort of helps, but because of its great technicality, sometimes things don’t work out.
Great reflections this week, culture is beautiful and I am starting to compare it with comfort food. For the brain. Because the belly still craves yum yum’s.
I am just going to pretend that it is Monday, although clearly I have broken the routine FIRST TIME IN 34 WEEKS by doing this on Tuesday.
My excuse – Bank Holiday and unexpected health issues.
The week was something between a recovery and back to work mode… so I packed in dose of culture in one day, predicting that no other days will be suitable.
When heading to the TIGER RAGS – THE FABRIC OF HULL CITY AFC display, I was pretty clueless that it will be about the famous Hull City. Which easily proves that I am not in the game at all.
For me the display perhaps didn’t mean the same as it would to true fans and believers, but I felt a bit of a legacy when entering a room. There was a family that looked at the whole history of the Hull City kits and memorabilia, watched the video about the players and I recognised the importance of the little exhibition in the most bizarre place.
BLEACHED BY TANIA KOVATS as part of the day came on my way to Humber Street. The building, its location and potential to amaze me was present when approaching.
Without making things up – genuinely one of my favourite culture visits in the recent weeks. There is no photo proof, but I had two guys helping me to soak the culture, we talked and chit-chatted, criticized and praised the work of Tania Kovats. Complete strangers, but the culture brought us together for those 15 important minutes. And the story behind their visit – old friends, both retired, now living in different areas, come together to see the culture and have a lunch/brunch/coffee/pint every now and then. How cool is that? This is why this year has changed things around, this is why everyone can find something beneficial about Hull 2017.
Sculptures exploring the beauty of coral and its fragile position in the world’s ecosystem, was something that we evaluated as potentially upsetting – if beneath the white coat was real coral, we could not accept the sacrifices made to create the art.
Off course it turned out that The Deep was able to save a large quantity of modal (artificial) coral after refurbishment for Tania to work with, so the artist used representation to raise awareness of what could potentially happen with the corals if the humans don’t start to think environmentally friendly.
It remains stunning sculpture with exceptional amount of fine detail that I had the pleasure to view.
The sculptures Ocean Bowls are just as stunning as the corals. And mystery at first glance. I thought that each metal piece has been saved from a different ocean and we see the different effects that it had created. But NO, under each piece was a great idea hidden for us to find…
Each piece has been cut out as Planet Earth, metal part being ocean and cut outs being land. So if pieced together it will create a planet that we know so far.
As before – it was so interesting to puzzle this mystery with strangers that become your friends for the moment and find Great Britain, Philippines, Baltics or Mexico.
There was a third art display – a bit of paint on paper that we called to be a fish planet – because so many things are to do with water, sea, river.
After the amazing experience I walked into almost electric skyline overlooking Hull Town and was in a good mood – being busy even with photo-jobs can sometimes be difficult, because there is no real freedom. However the culture photo challenge gives me the freedom, so something to celebrate.
And then it was spoiled – by Dinostar – The Dinosaur Experience Hull.
I am really sorry, but I was very shocked when I noticed the price for entry -not a symbolic £1 but £3 for an adult. And to make it worse, finishing my tour I felt like that was my worst £3 spent for an entry to culture.
It turned to be funny – this place has always been on my sight, interested of what is hidden inside the building. Every time I walked past there, it was closed, so to finally get in should’ve made my day.
The whole thing is ridiculously outdated and 90’s entertainment. Even for children in our generation this must feel like a joke.
But then – I have seen some spectacular exhibitions and art spaces, so the stacks are high.
I came out with my hands stamped with blurred dinosaurs and a conclusion – Dinostar need to apply for a funding and re-do the place, because the idea behind it is great and keeps the world of the mystery and wonderful alive for the kids.
First impression – stunning display and beautiful photographs covering a content that surprisingly remains taboo amongst society [noticed that when hanging about near the entrance – parents by accident brought kids thinking that it is the States Of Play exhibition and rushed out as soon as realised that the story behind the heartfelt photographs is transgender].
But I loved it. I truly did. First of all the photographer Lee Price has done an amazing job with storytelling through photographs, curating the notes underneath the photographs. Secondly – the context is easy to relate to. You don’t have to be transgender or gay to not feel free in today’s world. There are so many other reasons why people feel like that. I found it touching and really encourages me to be more open mined.
Also seeing this exhibition I really need to find out more about Sierra Leone and its relationship with Hull. It has popped up before in my culture wonders, or event at Uni. Now it is time to find out more, so a little homework for coming weeks.
This exhibition is 10/10. Thank you for the viewing and observing experience.
THIS WEEK IS THE FREEDOM FESTIVAL 10th ANNIVERSARY AND I AM SO EXCITED TO WORK WITH FREEDOM FESTIVAL THIS YEAR.
I might have a bit of none Freedom Festival culture for you – THE HESSLE ROADERS
The plan for this week was to take it steady – recovering from the Humber Street Sesh 2017, editing, working on the new website n’ stuff.
I wanted to visit something very cultural, something that will educate me as well, so the Larkin: New Eyes Each Year @Brynmore Jones Gallery was the perfect fit.
The biographic exhibition at the University of Hull, where Larkin spent three decades as Librarian, lifts the lid on the life of one of Hull’s most influential creatives or as I might say – gives a cool and current perspective to Philip Larkin’s life and work.
The exhibition is cleverly set out – to the point that I got lost in it in the best way, amazing work from the curator Anna Farthing. The exhibition is also very intimate and personal.
This very image of Larkin’s socks raised questions if he had a women in his life and talking to the volunteers it seemed like he few.
Person who is in love with books in general will have an interesting journey through selection of books, some caught my eye and made me consider to find time for reading ASAP.
The exhibition is interactive following Larkin’s life through the little pink posted notes placed around the book shelves with quotes from him.
My highlight off course was the lawnmower on the wall with. And the poem. At this point I was excited meeting Larkin – he must have been a cool guy – mows his own lawn.
Story about the lawnmower – the one on the wall belonged to Larkin. Poetry is a process of trimming and cutting back so they have rigged it on top of his working notes for his poem Toads which is about the tension between having to work for a living and writing poetry. Larkin wrote about cutting grass, and was very upset about killing a hedgehog [poem The Mower]
And I guess this was a second point where I felt connected with Mr. Larkin. I still have to work as no-photographer part time, to make sure I don’t end up living under the bridge. For those who manage to do what they love for living – you are a winner in life. And I will be a winner full time one day.
On Friday I admired the little gallery space and caught a little performance, but rushed back to work – so no actual nose. The nose and story behind it came on Saturday when I curiosity took over.
Long considered an urban myth, The Green Ginger Fellowship made this momentous discovery while delving into the large cache of Land of Green Ginger crates currently under investigation.
The last concrete sighting was documented 50 years ago, when building work to lay the foundations of the first house on Bransholme unearthed a small casket with the Gold Nose lying within.
No it has been brought back to Bransholme.
+ you can write a wish to the nose [there is a myth that it brings good luck and makes wishes come true] and put it in secret letterbox.
There is no Gold Nose of Green Ginger photo – you must go and see it for yourself.
Saturday was a mixture of different culture mixing in the North Point Shopping Centre bowl, so I met a very fake Elsa from Frozen, Brighhouse bears and ladies in headscarves.
THE CULTURE CHOICES WILL BE SPONTANEOUS THIS WEEK AS I HAVE WORK THAT REQUIRES A LOT OF PRE STRESSING AND PREP.
GET CULTURED MOVEMENT STILL IS A COOL THING TO DO, GET INVOLVED
I AM FAR AWAY FROM THE WORK AND MY BRITISH HOME, HENCE WHY I AM FAR AWAY FROM THE CULTURE.
BUT BECAUSE I TAKE MY PHOTO CHALLENGE VERY SERIOUSLY I AM GIVING YOU SOME CULTURE [managed to squeeze it in just before I left]
COS I AM ON HOLIDAY, I AM GOING TO KEEP THIS SHORT AND SWEET.
I VISITED HUMBER STREET GALLERY AND STATES OF PLAY. I WAS GOING THERE PURPOSELY, BUT WAS NOT EXPECTING HOW EXCITED I WILL BE SEEING MY FAVOURITE EXHIBITION SO FAR.
AMAZING EXTRAVAGANZA, SO CLEVER AND INTERESTING.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SEEING THIS TO EVERYONE OUT THERE READING MY BLOG. TELL YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY..EVERYONE.
HIGHLIGHTS; ROBOT AND THE LAMP THAT KNITS ITSELF, OH AND THE BLOWY LIGHT INSTALLATIONS
ANETE SOODA PHOTO 