‘From The BALTIC to The BLACK SEA’
Eastern Europe through the eyes of a Yorkshire priest: documentary photographs and poetry celebrating the cultural, spiritual and human narratives of politically evolving landscapes.
Private View: Saturday, 4th April 2009 : From: 4.00 – 7.00pm
Presentation by Rupert and Sally Martin: 5.30 pm
The gallery is hosting the launch of an exhibition of images and poetry celebrating the personal journey of Revd Rupert and Sally Martin, through Lithuania, Poland Slovakia and Romania during 2008. Rupert and Sally are pastors of the Parish of Sandal Magna within the Anglican Diocese in Wakefield and they undertook this voyage during a sabbatical last year. Before training for the ministry, Rupert had established a career as a curator at The Arnolfini Gallery in Bristol and previously at The Photographer’s Gallery in London. He has continued to pursue his passion for photography and has exhibited previously at The North Light Gallery and at other venues.
Rupert has created a series of framed montages, which serve as a visual diary capturing an eclectic range of people, landscapes and architectural features. His work documents the impact of vibrant cultures, traditions and people, which have survived years of oppression and which continue to flourish now as part of the European Union.
Rupert experienced the added personal significance of tracing his Polish origins, with a visit to his father’s house in Kacice near Krakow where his father lived from 1930 to 1945. Rupert studied English Literature at Oxford University and his capacity to reflect poetically on his journey, makes this an exceptional exhibition. His poems capture an emotional response to encounters with warm and hospitable people, alongside the subtle layers of human and cultural history etched into the soul of countries.
The gallery welcomes this opportunity to exhibit Rupert’s work at a time when cultural identity, migration and community are so relevant here in the North and in the UK. The gallery has an inclusive access policy and it is with this in mind that the gallery hopes that his vision, as an artist and as a priest will reach out to audiences from across the social and cultural spectrum.
The gallery and the exhibition are open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10.00am until 4.00pm until Saturday 6th June 2009.