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PICTURE PERFECT PRESTON
An exciting photography festival is hitting Preston city centre this summer. Alma Stewart speaks to organiser Garry Cook to find out more about the Lancashire Photography Festival
Recent visitors to Preston city centre may have noticed an eclectic mix of photographic images displayed within its streets. From giant screaming faces to a variety of striking images taken by local photographers displayed outside the former BHS building on Fishergate, the images have certainly attracted a lot of attention.
Photographer and journalist Garry is the organiser of the Lancashire Photography Festival – a series of displays spread across the city centre until September. Originally from Newcastle, he has made Preston his home since he studied at the University of Central Lancashire in the 1990s and it is his passion for Preston that drives his creativity, sharing his ideas on a large scale. “I love the people of Preston,” he said. “My work as a photographer led me to meet many local creatives and ideas and events have just grown. There are so many local people who are passionate about the arts and especially photography, that we have formed a really strong network that even has support from local business.”
Coupled with the support of Arts Council England, Winckley Square CIC and Preston City Council, this year’s festival is an extension of the last ‘trial’ festival held in 2021 where more than 200 large-scale images were displayed outdoors across 16 locations across the city, showcasing the work of more than 60 photographers.
Garry continued: “This year in preparation for the festival, I have held some ‘mini’ participation events such as ‘Preston is My Paris’ where volunteers were photographed to create a unique archive of the people who live in Preston. The ‘Give Us Your Best Scream’ event had volunteers captured screaming and some of these have been blown up to over two metres long and displayed at the former Past Times shop on the corner of Fishergate and Glover’s Court, the former Club Arena nightclub and The Tithebarn pub opposite the bus station, I had to resize the images, change them to black and white then print them to their six-foot size and then cut them out by hand. It was tricky to paste them up because they are so big, but I managed to get some help from my son Teddy to complete the display.”
I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF PRESTON. THERE ARE SO MANY LOCAL PEOPLE WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE ARTS AND ESPECIALLY PHOTOGRAPHY
Some local photographers have also had some of their images blown up and pasted on the existing walls where the former Tokyo Jo’s stood which is currently a cleared space. “There are some really interesting walls that remain on the former site and the selection of images look really striking in that context,” Garry added.
The next phase of the festival will take place in the city centre’s Avenham and Miller Parks and Winckley Square Gardens where a number of leading photographers’ work will be displayed on metal panels. The renowned photographers taking part include: Martin Parr, the UK’s leading documentary photographer who is known around the world for his bold, satirical images documenting human life. Social documentary photographer Jenny Lewis exhibits images from her stunning One Day Young projects in Miller Park.
Yorkshire-based Ian Beesley, will show a selection of his stunning black and white Northern industrial images in Winckley Square. Street photographer Dougie Wallace, whose critically-acclaimed books include Stags Hens & Bunnies: a Blackpool Story and Harrodsburg, will exhibit his stunning brash people-focused images on the hoardings of the former BHS building on Fishergate.
THIS IS A FANTASTIC WAY TO INTRODUCE YOUNGSTERS TO PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE CREATIVE ARTS
Maryam Wahid’s work focuses on the identity of British Pakistani Muslim woman. Serena Dzenis’ surreal Icelandic landscapes, taken during lockdown in 2021, have already won several awards. The breathtaking images will also be displayed in the city.
Many more photographers will have large-scale single images on display, while an extensive engagement programme will see multiple opportunities for local people to take part in the festival, either by taking photographs or by being photographed. There will be a map and suggested route to view all the images available at the time.
“But that’s not all,” said Garry, “thousands of school children across Lancashire will experience the festival via their own private exhibitions on school premises which will be sent to them in the post. This is a fantastic way to introduce youngsters to photography and the creative arts.”
Taking inspiration from the struggles of Preston suffragette Edith Rigby and the Lune Street riot of 1842, Garry has created a brand-new concept to grab people’s attention. The world’s first photography parade will take place on Saturday, 19th August. Garry explained: “It will include most of Lancashire Photography Festival, beginning in Avenham and Miller Parks, with a walk through the city to the Flag Market.
“Participants will carry photographs which are be mounted on sticks which we will help with, just like a real protest! The parade will be led by images taken in Preston. Participants are welcome to bring their own photographs – either stuck onto a stick (like they do in protests) or just printed big and held up high. Photographers can parade their own images or images can be provided.
THE IDEA BEHIND BOTH PROJECTS IS TO ENCOURAGE PHOTOGRAPHY AND HELP ANYONE INTERESTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY GET NEW EXPERIENCES
“The idea behind both projects is to encourage photography and help anyone interested in photography get new experiences, build confidence and become better photographers. The parade aims to encourage people to join Preston’s growing creative community – and have loads of fun! Community groups are welcome to take part too.”
Garry added: “I’m really thankful to the people who are allowing me to show their work and to the owners of the empty buildings who let me use their outdoor space to display the work. This is Preston’s best opportunity to enjoy, learn and participate in the wonderful medium of photography.” n
The Lancashire Photography Festival will run in Preston city centre until September.
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