Always keen to present Blackpool in a positive light through a thriving arts scene, HIVEArts has put together an eclectic mix of photographs, celebrating the upside of our fine resort. David Simper returned from an event in Liverpool in good time to view the collection, delayed only slightly at Poulton by a trespasser on the track.
Always Look on the Bright Side is a group exhibition of work from some acomplished photographers and a great exhibition to brighten our lives as the days lengthen into autumn. The clocks going back beckons and winter is only just over the horizon. It highlights just what a good offer we have in this town, for both residents and those committing to join our community.
Work is presented by established and emerging Blackpool photographers and the collective is delighted to include work from students, which stands up very well. I should have got my own act together and submitted a couple of pieces, but that didn’t happen: how remiss! Next time.
From a personal preference point of view, it’s good to see so many black and white images, including images submitted by the students. This is a matter of opinion, but I think we’ve lost a little pictorial impact due to the slide to colour. Who can forget those iconic miners’ strike images, shot almost entirely in black and white? It’s good that the old technology is being picked up by a new generation.
This is not to knock the fine colour practitioners exhibiting here, who have submitted some striking images. Many of our finest local photographers use both colour and monochrome.
I spoke to Ian Currie, who has acted as primary curator for this show and has submitted his own excellent work.
“I’m very happy with the results from our exhibition callout,” he told me. “This is a very inclusive exhibition. Lots of people are exhibiting alongside established photographers. We’ve got people new to exhibitions, new to showing their work, people new to photography, using all kinds of equipment – so vintage cameras, phone cameras. Also alternative processes, like the cyanotypes over there,” he gestures towards Amanda Aiton’s three pieces to his right.
“The work focuses on looking at the bright side of Blackpool. Trying to show it in a better light then it’s all too often shown, sadly. So we’re trying to do our little bit, in our little corner of Blackpool,” he concludes. I can only agree with Ian’s analysis – the town doesn’t get the most positive treatment from the mainstream media.
As ever, this HIVEArts presentation is well worth a view. Stock up on fruit and veg from the farm shop and take refreshment from the cafe, before climbing the stairs to the gallery space. The photographs are universally taken with love, commitment to the town and are well composed and exposed.
The show continues until 4th October 2024, in the gallery space above the Hive cafe and farm shop on Church Street, Blackpool. I’ll get a piece into the next one, I promise.
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