“Following the Red River” workshop and exhibition
This past weekend, I joined a small workshop run by the photography hub, Toner, Penzance being led by Jem Southam. Jem’s original “Red River” looks a locations along the Red River from Bolenowe, north of Camborne, past South Crofty mine, and through the tin mining valley, to drain into the sea at Godrevy. Jem’s work has been a big influence on my practice and it was really special to have an opportunity to spend some time with him. On Friday night Jem gave a talk about the original work, his inspiration for it, and the locations that he returned to often to make the work that became the Red River.
On Saturday we met early and went to Bolenowe where Jem explained some of the locations he had shot in and then we went off in small groups to explore the area and respond to the landscape with our own images. After a couple of (somewhat wet) hours we met at King Henry Mine for a tour of some of the exhibitions and had a late breakfast / early lunch pasty. The timing was great as the worst of the weather came when were were inside.
We then visited the area around South Crofty and then finally onto Godrevy were we were blessed with the most amazing double rainbow before heading to the Red River Inn.
The next morning we returned to Toner where we spend the morning editing our images down to 12, and then 4 and finally 2. With the selection made, the Toner team sprang into action with Charlie printing the selected images at A3, Max framed them, and Matt planned, laid out, and then hung the images on one wall in the exhibition space.
Max Searl, Keith Mason, Tony Hopewell, Sam Fath, Allan Stone, Jem Southam,
Tony Hopewell, Dave Dooley, Gin Rimminton Jones, Owen Richards, Gem Atkinson, Sam Fath
Keith Mason, Gem Atkinson, Gin Rimminton Jones, Dave Dooley, Jem Southam, Matt Martin,
Owen Richards, Max Searl, Matt Martin, Allan Stone, Charlie Jay, Charlie Jay
On the other wall, Jem drew an impression of the river and smaller images were hung along the map offering a geographic diary of the day.
This wall was really fantastic and showed the range of images and styles that different members of the workshop made. The exhibition remains on the Toner walls for the next month or so, so please get along and have a look.
It was a really well organised workshop. It was great to meet and discuss our work with such a luminary as Jem Southam (who is incredibly welcoming, insightful, and supportive). The day shooting was really fun and putting the exhibition together was great. More than all that, meeting other photographers and getting to know their work was a real treat.
Well done to all at Toner, especially Matt, Max, and Charlie. And a big thanks to Jem for making it such a great weekend.