Art / Photography
Permanent photography exhibition installed at St Paul’s Learning Centre
20 photographs now permanently adorn St Paul’s Learning Centre.
The black and white photos were taken during workshops run by the Real Photography Company, which runs the community dark rooms at the centre.
The Real Photography Company, based at the centre, runs photographic projects with local community groups and schools, promoting community cohesion through learning and art.
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The film photos were developed and printed in the darkrooms by individuals from a variety of local groups, including over 50s, refugees and individuals recovering from addiction, using the brief of “My St Paul’s”
“We gave away point and shoot film cameras to people to use,” says Justin Quinnell, a pinhole photographer who worked on the project. “The following week, we all developed the negatives and chose the best ones to print using traditional photographic processes in a darkroom.
“The workshops we have done at the centre were a great way to get people together and learn new skills.
“It is also a very social activity with loads of interaction – important for people new to the city, getting back into society or just those who have been isolated from others.”
The photos are now permanently displayed at St Paul’s Learning Centre. Photo: Justin Quinnell
The exhibition has been a way for local people to represent their community through traditional photographic methods and has been a way for those involved to improve their science, art, chemistry and history knowledge.
The project took place in 2020, as the Greenway Project kicked into full speed. With the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic, the painting of St Paul’s Learning Centre, part of the project, has only just been completed.
The final photographs chosen for the exhibition are just a small selection of those taken. Some of the images not chosen will be featured in a projection next to the windows.
“We are pleased to mount this exhibition celebrating the creative achievements of the participants of community photography projects taking place at the St Paul’s community darkrooms,” says Ruth Jacobs, a director of the Real Photography Company.
“As a large-scale outdoor photography exhibition, it is accessible for all to enjoy without restriction – even in this time of lockdown.
“We are working with Bristol Photo Festival to bring more photography outdoors in a series of workshops taking place this summer – look out for details!”
Main photo: Justin Quinnell
Read more: New trail in St Paul’s brings communities together
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