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The Gallery

A stunning space to explore the visual arts with an eclectic and challenging programme of exhibitions

A new exhibition by Craig Easton:

11 April - 31 May

Craig Easton Exhibition

 

Photographer Craig Easton is known for producing work that challenges assumptions about working-class community life in the north of England. Two of his past projects (Bank Top and Thatcher’s Children) are the focus for this exhibition and are set to resurface at a critical time for a Britain in the midst of a cost of living crisis.

In 2021, Easton won ‘Photographer of the Year’ at the Sony World Photography Awards with Bank Top, a series that took an in-depth look at the representation, and misrepresentation, of Northern communities, focussing on a small, tight-knit community in Blackburn. Craig states his role as a documentary photographer is to: “shine a light into dark corners, and hold people to account for what I find there.”

Craig said: “The work is about challenging culture wars. There are no culture wars. When the media says that, when the politicians say that, we need to fight back as a society. Poverty and social deprivation in this country is a function of the politics.”

Craig Easton: Is Anybody Listening? also features Craig’s photographs from ‘Thatcher’s Children’, a commission supported by LeftCoast, which explores the economic hardship experienced by three generations of the same Blackpool family.

LeftCoast’s Artistic Director Tina Redford said: “Craig’s exhibition, its themes, and its central question couldn’t be more timely and we are very pleased to be showcasing his work once again, in partnership with Blackpool School of Arts.

“The exhibition is a unique and respectful representation of life in the communities that Craig has been permitted to photograph. Each image has more than one story to tell and they provoke necessary discussions about poverty and relevant topics such as blame, othering, and segregation.”

As part of his process, Craig creates a meaningful and authentic rapport with people to capture his distinct images. While the exhibition is in town, Blackpool School of Arts will facilitate an engagement programme titled Our Time, Our Place to share Craig’s photography process, and inspire and educate young photographers.

Welcome to The Gallery at Blackpool School of Arts, a place which inspires creativity through an ambitious and varied year-round exhibition programme featuring work from both current students and professional artists.

Underpinned by the School's ethos of a creative community of practice and supported by its three pillars - Process, Connectivity and Community - The Gallery aims to delight, challenge and stimulate audiences with artworks that explore a diverse range of contemporary themes in modern art whilst pushing the possibilities of materials, media and technologies.

As well as featuring students' end of year shows in both fine art and photography, the Gallery has, in the past, exhibited work from such luminaries as Damien Hirst and Tracy Emin and continues to attract the attention of artists locally, nationally and internationally as an exhibition space.

We are always open to receiving proposals from artists, art collectives and curators who would like to exhibit in the Gallery and are happy to consider work from creatives at any stage of their career to share their ideas with us and help influence the next generation of creative practitioners; our students.

Contact Us

Curator: Aaron Tonks Email: aaron.tonks@blackpool.ac.uk Address: University Centre, Park Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 4ES Opening Times: Monday - Friday: 9:30am - 4.30pm
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