Pam Berridge
Next Showing: 21st May 13 @ 17:30
Final Showing: 31st May 13 @ 17:30
Pam Berridge – Artist’s Statement
While researching the associations between photography, death and memory for my PhD in Fine Art Practice, I came across the cemeteries of Paris.
These cemeteries contain juxtaposed sepulchres and graves stretching as far as the eye can see and appearing like shanty towns; cities of the dead which are surrounded by the city of the living; cities which are a place apart, linking the world of the living and the dead and inhabited by memories and ghosts.
I resolved to return and take photographs in these cemeteries which I found related very much to the ideas I had about photography
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The sepulchres contain artefacts which serve as memento mori, both beautiful and symbolic in their decay, much in the same way as a photograph does. Photography since its inception has been closely linked with death and memory and has often been used as a metaphor for both in much the same way as these artefacts are. Central to this is the hypothesis that photography has a close association with death and memory, and since its inception it has often been linked to, or used as a metaphor for, them both. This is at least in part due to its ability to portray that which no longer exists. Metaphor is frequently used in correlation with death, as it is often utilised to deal with that which we do not fully comprehend or which we cannot easily accept. All photographs become history from the moment they are taken. A photograph is an image which is about to become a memory; a capturing of the present in the instant that it becomes the past.
The images I produce, consisting of mixed media and archival photographs on wood, shine like icons evocative and meaningful in their use of photography.
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Steven Flaherty, Waiting Game - A Photographic Study of British Wildlife
Next Showing: 01st Jun 13 @ 17:30
Final Showing: 31st Aug 13 @ 17:30
As a professional wildlife photographer, one of very few based in Wales, I am on a journey to photograph and capture the essence of British wildlife through my eyes. I have travelled many miles throughout Wales and England in my search for subjects to photograph. I have yet to venture to Scotland in my quest for wildlife it is on my list of places to visit.
I have found patience has been a virtue whilst trying to do this and I have spent many hours, days, weeks, months sometimes in extreme conditions just for that one shot that captures what I think shows how beautiful and wonderful the wildlife which Britain has to offer.
In this exhibition is some of my best work, showing the best of our wildlife that I have managed to capture. From mad March hares to stunning kingfishers and the elusive otters, who says you need to go to Africa to see great wildlife?
About me:
I am a based in Builth Wells, specialising in British wildlife. My main area of photography is bird (ornithology) photography in particular capturing them in flight or performing in front of the camera. I have found that I have a natural flare for it. With my photography I like capturing the essence of the bird, mammal or animal that I am photographing, be it a close up or within its environment.
I have been very fortunate with some of the wildlife I have been in the presence of and been able to photograph since turning professional. From an otter at my feet, kingfishers within touching distance and hares running right by me, and not forgetting the stunning red kites that we are so lucky to have here in Wales read more