LIVE PROJECTS

Photography, for the large part, controls our perceptions of the world. Our knowledge of global events and of cultural difference is widely prejudiced, positively or negatively, by the appearances we read from a photograph.

Such representations in turn are a product of the control that has been exerted by the photographer in choosing to show something a certain way, or by their interpretation of a controlling mechanism evident in the subject they have photographed.

Taking this as our departure point we are interested in the aspects of control, or indeed, lack of control that are present in a variety of subjects, ranging from investigation into architecture that can be said to enforce an environment of surveillance, specifically in educational buildings, to questioning areas of ‘wilderness’ and the human impact, through the challenges in regaining self-control in people affected by alcoholism or homelessness, via a reflection on photography’s own controlling methods, to perhaps the most powerful act of self-control, a study into vows of silence.

We are a group of photographers either based in, or with strong connections to the north of England, working in a variety of genres from fine art to documentary and photojournalism, and are keen for our work to be seen beyond the usual photography audiences, in particular by those from or living in Liverpool.

Garry Cook is looking at the part alcohol plays in controlling people’s lives, through a series of images chronicling the Saturday of a group of young scouse women, from shopping in Primark to the big night out.

Pablo Allison plans to photograph the facades of educational establishments, highlighting how control is enforced through the architecture of these spaces, and the security features that surround them. He believes that schools are not only centres of learning but can also be spaces for controlling people.

Liz Ashburn is exploring visual evidence of the fundamental way we control the ‘wilder’ parts of our natural environment, whether this be land controlled through grazing, burning, draining and planting, or coastal areas stabilised by groynes and concrete walls.

Petra Stridfeldt will be looking at our relationship with the planet and the lack of control people have over their consumption - we are currently using 50% more natural resources than the earth can sustain.

Sian Gouldstone is investigating the methods that photography uses to control the visual or seen, and in turn how that may affect our perceptions of that which surrounds us in reality.

Ann-Marie Conlon is developing a documentary project working with homeless people with substance abuse issues.

Gemma Thorpe will also be working with a homeless youth, documenting his or her journey back towards living independently; this will draw on aspects of self-control but will also touch on the control elements embedded in society, in particular coming of age and the bridge between ‘dependent’ and adult.

Clare Daněk is developing a project looking at silence as a form of control, specifically creating portraits of people who have taken vows of silence as a form of self-control.

Dave Rawlinson and Peter Mearns are working on their ideas.