Birmingham Photospace Flash Swap Exhibition

Saturday lunch time I made my way down to the Custard Factory to hand in my picture for the Flash Swap Exhibition and then off I went to watch my son play football, I got a bit sunburnt or wind burnt and returned to the Custard Factory in the early evening.

As you can see there was a very good turnout of photographers of all levels of experiences and reputations. I bumped into so many people I hadn’t seen for a long time, a quick mention for Mike Hale whose website address is the only one I know, I first met Mike on the Creative Alliance course in 2006. It was a good course that introduced us to the business side of the arts, ideal after you have finished your degree and think how can I make a living as an artist. On day one we were separated into pairs and had to introduce the other person to the group for me describing Mikes work was easy because he included so much experimentation and variety at such a high standard.

It was nice to see Pete Ashton the blogging guru or Journeyman of the blogging spheres, that’s his description but it is very accurate he had just returned from some techie, bloggy web2 networking event in Austin Texas yep this is a hardcore blogger with about 3 or 4 on the go at the same time plus a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and loads of other social networking sites that the rest of the world will discover in about 12 months time, he’s the type of person you would see in the corner of a bar or restaurant tapping away on his laptop, its thanks to Pete and his friend Stef Lewandowski who talked me into blogging

Pete donated some of his business card size photos (as a set),

Birmingham Phil of Flickr fame was there; although he is one of my contacts/friends on Flickr I didn’t recognize him in the crowd.

So after a short speech everyone was able to select the photograph that they wanted to take home. When we originally handed in our pictures at reception we received a small label with a number on it (one picture equals one label) and this is how we notified our claim to a photograph.

This picture by Richard Gill created a bit of controversy because it was it was chosen by two people I don’t know the outcome.

I don’t know this gentlemans name but he sure has a great taste in art, he went for the “Untitled” Giclee print by John Garghan and when I’m famous or dead he can look back on this moment when he made his fortune.

This is the photograph that I chose Birmingham Music Legend Steve Gibbons; I had my eye on it during the opening speeches so I positioned myself very close but when we got the go ahead to make our selection I couldn’t find my label. The photographer is Tim Ellis

Judging by the turnout and the feedback on the site from people who couldn’t make it I’m sure we will have a similar event in the future

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This Saturday I’m off to the Flash Swap Exhibition

An initiative that has my full support is Birmingham Photospace I started to write about it and then I thought the organizers have already produced an excellent explanation and posted it on the Facebook group page.

The group is seeking to galvanise interested individuals and organisations in Birmingham towards the ultimate aim of creating a world class venue for photography in Birmingham. This could be in a reclaimed industrial building close to the city centre. This could build on and support the interest in photography in the city, showcase our magnificent photography collections and fill a gap in Birmingham's visual arts facilities

You can also read the Vision For Birmingham and then visit the informative blog

The Flash Swap Exhibition organized by Birmingham Photospace takes place this Saturday 21st March at the Custard Factory’s Vaad Gallery this is an opportunity for photographers of all levels to showcase their work for free.

Basically you take along at least one photograph and you are then entitled to choose a picture.

Comprehensive information at the Birmingham Photospace Press Release

I decided to take one of my earlier photographs in fact it was taken at the first burnt out car I ever photographed. You will notice that my work today is very different than this first photograph as now I look to disguise any notation that of the origins of the photograph. The only problem now is I have to find it in my spare bedroom.

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The Artist Talk

As part of the exhibition at Solihull Arts Complex I delivered an Artist Talk in the gallery space, the event was very well attended and included in the audience were the students and the head of Art at Tudor Grange School. Dan Burwood an artist friend of mine is working with the children on a project which will tie in with the show and have some reference to my art practice.

It was great to have them there but it did create a problem, photographing young people is a very sensitive area and I cant place photographs of them on the blog without establishing if permission has been granted by the parents and at the moment I do not have that consent. When I photographed the children who were involved in the workshop earlier in the month I got the parental permission as they brought the kids to the gallery or came to collect them, indeed quite a few parents were just out of shot holding bags and jackets. Sorting and editing the photos from the night I found some great images of adults listening and contributing to the talk but there would be a young person strategically positioned to void the picture.

The main topic of discussion was should I display images of the burnt out cars as part of the show and indeed should I even explain were the images originate from, many of the artist present thought that the photographs on the wall should and do stand by themselves without the history. I agonised over this topic when I first began the project in those early days I swayed backwards and forwards but I’m comfortable with my decision to go the route I have taken.

At first I was concerned that if I divulged the origins of my work then other photographers would copy my methods. In those early days I had a lot of input from Arlene Burnett and we talked about this aspect and for various reasons it was established that it wasn’t a problem. In the main because if two photographers were to work on the same car the images would be totally different, it is the unique human senses that create the image and we are all different. In fact I have tried to repeat a shot and found it impossible to match the angles and lighting conditions, Furthermore its not just about taking photos of cars it’s also about the ground work that goes into building the end results e.g. finding the burn outs in exactly the right condition, etc.

Since the work began the artwork has taken on a wider scope with the documenting of the “Finds” and the meeting of people who help me or even just stop for a chat “You Will Never Look at Them in the Same Way Again” has developed that in an artwork of documenting. Indeed if I didn’t reveal all there would be no blog.

Solihull Arts Development Officer Aimee Green takes the sign down

On Saturday the show came to an end and early Monday morning I arrived with my carefully constructed packaging. It was important that we got the work down as soon as possible because the walls had to be treated, holes filled, smudge marks painted and everything made good, ready for the installation of the next show at the Complex:

Dear Miss Hubbard

16th March to 16th May

In 2004, artist James Bouren, stumbled upon an unopened envelope addressed to a Miss J.E.Hubbard postmarked 1970. James has worked closely with Solihull school children to investigate what could be inside this unopened envelope. The exhibition displays his explorations and responses to children's artwork

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A Visit To My Exhibition To Take Some Photographs

When ever I have my artwork in an exhibition I try to take as many photographs as I can of people interacting with the work, the image, the printing on glass, the concept of taking something that on the surface looks so horrible and turning it into a beautiful piece of art that would look attractive on any wall. A living room, office, lounge, in fact because of the nature of the images and presentation on glass: well any room even a bathroom.

My favourite photo is this one from last years Birmingham ArtFest as you can see I like to get creative rather than just have a boring picture of someone standing in front of a picture..

I’ve been waiting for a good sunny day to go and photograph my exhibition at the Solihull Arts Complex. Reading that you would imagine it was an outside event, well it’s as good as because the gallery opens out to the square through very large French windows and of course with a low winter sun it illuminates the artwork just right.

You can imagine my disappointment when I arrived at the gallery to find tables and chairs set out for some kind of event, this meant that I couldn’t as intended do a panorama photograph were I stitch about 20 photos together to achieve one large image

Because of the half term school holiday Kathryn Pettitt was delivering an art session for school children as a holiday extension to the Saturday morning events for 7 to 14 year olds. So I managed to utilize this different opportunity to take photos of the work using the parents and children as my models. The show is on until 7th March and I have no doubt I will have another sunny day and chance to capture the panorama.

If your around the West Midlands area have a look at the exhibition.

Exhibition Title:	You Will Look at Them in the Same Way Again
Venue:	Solihull Gallery
Address:	Solihull Arts Complex
	Library Square
	Touchwood
	Homer Road
	Solihull

Dates: 19th January - 7th March

There is an Artist Talk event on Thursday 26th February at 6pm

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Probably the best car I have ever photographed. Ever!

A second car was burnt out today in the same park that I found the car on Friday see the previous post, it often happens like this and then there will be nothing for months because those responsible have been sent to prison or juvenile detention centres. This car was dumped on the other side of the park as if they had used the back entrance, however on Friday they had broken a heavy duty gate lock to enter the park so of course they knew it would be easy to get in through there, and once in side they had some fun across the grass

This was one of the best cars that I had ever seen in terms of markings although the proof of the pudding is how they look when I get them home on the pc and start looking for that distinctive landscape quality. Each side of the car was covered in so many colours it was so good I didn’t know where to start. Again the sunlight was great, very strong and in just the right position relevant to the car. I moved around the car changing the angle in all directions.

The front and back of the car was quite poor and the normally good areas such as the roof and wings were no good at all, the roof had no markings just a kind of pink dusty texture which doesn’t translate very well into the finished image.

I couldn’t find out anything about the origin of the car, I know it was a Nissan because there was a small badge on the ground but because it was so far from the paths across the park nobody came close by and so there was no conversations with anybody. Apart that is from a group of youngsters who were shouting abuse from a distance, I never know if its best to engage with them or ignore them. Two police officers appeared after they saw me pouring water over the car (must of thought I was mad) but they won’t tell you anything even if they know.

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Exhibition at the Solihull Arts Complex

Exhibition Title: You Will Never Look at Them in the Same Way Again.

Venue: Solihull Arts Complex

Address:	Library Square
	Touchwood
	Homer Road
	Solihull
	West Midlands

Dates: open up to 7th March

There is an Artist Talk event on Thursday 26^th February at 6pm

Got my PC back today, when they put it on the bench it behaved impeccably and made me look a right idiot, so I took it home and guess what so far in about 3 hours its crashed and re booted 3 times, and a load of other program associated issues that I shall not bore you with here. Anyway one way and another I have managed to prepare the pictures from the show

This couple I meet during a meeting at Sainsburys café with Steph Adams and Jackie Mackay the three of us were selecting the pictures for the show ( or rather Steph and Jackie did) and of course we had all the pictures spread out over 2 tables. Everybody passing couldn’t miss the work. This couple were one of those customers who passed by and staid to talk.

This is Rita Ryan who is responsible for me working as an artist today, I was producing nice “chocolate box” drawing and paintings when I turned up at Ritas Monday art class in Kings Heath, Birmingham. Somehow Rita has the ability to push you that little bit further but in comfortable way. Quite a talent.. Every time I’ve a Private View Rita has been invited but there has always been some reason why she couldn’t make it.

The Lord Mayor was very relieved that only one of the photographs had originated from a car that was burnt out in Solihull. I asked him when he is back in the council meetings if could persuade the parks department to take down the barriers that block the joy riders driving on the parkland and in fact steps to encourage them so that it’s a lot easier for me to find the burn outs. After all he could see the benefits to the local arts industry and there is the additional service to the community of keeping the kids off the street and giving them something to do.

Also there was Pete from the famous “Pete's 'Today In History' Quiz “ blog the timing worked just right as he was able to pop along before going to the Colebrook pub the Thursday night pub quiz.

At the end we all went off to the Slug and Lettuce pub and here I am surrounded by the girls and some very good artists no less Rita Fletcher, Eva Bennett, Marie Prestleton and Judy Reece.

And finally I was so busy spreading myself about and talking to everybody I had very little time to take any pictures myself my thanks go to fellow artist John Bishop (on the left) seen here with another artist John Thomas.

And Chris Mould my other intrepid snapper seen here with Marie who flew in from the Czech Republic and made it an international event.

Another Session Of Photography In The Cold At Maypole

I got a call from John the park cleaner who is one of my look outs to say he had found a burnt out car, of course I knew all about it yesterday but he confirmed that it was still there and worth a visit. Sometimes a car can be towed away within a few hours but I have known them to be in position for a week, I treat every photograph as if its my last with the vehicle concentrating on the most likely areas first. Unlike yesterday when everybody seemed very suspicious of me today everyone wanted to stop and have a chat including this man.


I told him what I did with my photos and invited him to look at my show at the Solihull Arts Complex and he said “Oh my daughters exhibited there”. His daughter is none other than the very talented photographer Michelle Lord. We are both involved in the Art and Business project “Visual” and we both exhibited in the group exhibition at Baskerville House last year.

The surface of the car hadn’t change at all which is unusual, I decided that after today there was no point in returning because the changes to the surface from now on will produce a quality of rust that doesn’t transform well in the photographs. Indeed I decided to pour water over the surface and while this will drastically transform the surface it will accelerate the decline in the quality for my purposes. Yesterday I took the bonnet home to work on that over the next few months.

I would like to work on one of these photographs now to illustrate my point but working with my old pc is ridiculously slow. I upgraded my PC last year so that it could handle large digital files and very large 45 megapixel files that have from scanning the 35mm film negatives, the upgrade was designed specifically for editing with Photoshop and to enable the viewing and selection of the hundreds of files. The PC is still on the bench being diagnosed.


I found out from this chap walking his dog that although the car appeared to me yesterday to have been joy ridden across the grass verge before being set alight it had in fact been in that position for 2 weeks with large For Sale signs advertising to those on the busy road.