Raising funds for my exhibition in June at the Royal Festival Hall
Twenty-one years ago I received my first commission from the
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and to my astonishment and great
pleasure it is ongoing. I approached their Chief Executive about putting on a
retrospective exhibition of the work...he agreed and the show will coincide
with their 30th anniversary in June.
I need to raise funds for printing and mounting the show, and for
a catalogue. I'm appealing to music-lovers everywhere to contribute in making this
exhibition possible.
Please help by donating and sharing this campaign.
About the exhibition
When I was first commissioned by the OAE I never
dreamed that it would turn into a marriage of such long duration. The length
and breadth of the collaboration has lasted over twenty years now, and long may
it continue! It has afforded me the opportunity to get to know many of the
players, which as time passes allows for an intimacy and a trust that is very
rare in photography, a profession that, like the proverbial shark, requires
constant forward movement.
Some of the musicians have been in front of the camera
since the very first shoot back in 1996, some have retired, and as these things
go, there have been many newcomers to get to know. I’ve been able to watch and
listen to this amazing orchestra for a long time, and it never ceases to amaze
me when all these people that I photograph and have gotten to know on a
personal basis, upon entering the concert hall, shed their friend status, and
perform so magnificently and passionately as consummate performers.
For the longest time I’ve avoided looking at the work as
part of a whole…each year has brought a new assignment, a new challenge, a new
concept. The occasion of the OAE’s 30th anniversary made me realise that looked
at in its entirety, my work with them is a pictorial history that has both
reflected their spirit and helped shape their identity. I say this with pride,
but also with humility…pride because it has also helped shaped my own identity
as a photographer, and humility because I am constantly in awe of the art and
intelligence these musicians bring to their craft…they are truly a group of
inspirational people.
This summer I will be displaying the
results of this collaboration at the Royal Festival Hall, from June 4-8, 2016.
Please come and see for yourselves.