For my current exhibition Undiagnosed I was very keen to find an outdoor venue with a lot of space. This was partly because of current circumstances around Covid-19 but also because I wanted a venue large enough to accommodate a long series of images that were repetitive in typology and gained resonance in numbers. When I saw the West Buildings Shelter I realised this was ideal and had huge potential: a central location with very busy footfall, a prominent spot that grabs your attention as you approach, and a rectangular space that meant the exhibition would be a continuous experience as you walk around the circumference.
To utilise this space I needed to tackle a number of technical issues: the exterior space is open to the elements; previous prints on foamboard had twisted in the wind and rain. I wanted a flat unframed image that I could attach directly to the wall. In consultation with Spectrum Photographics we decided upon Blueback prints, the same type of paper used for billboards, applied using basic wallpaper paste. Likewise, the sign for the exhibition needed to be adapted to the space as I wanted large but understated lettering; in discussion with Subway Exhibitions we decided vinyl lettering on a large sheet of hard perspex attached to the wall by screws. The installation was challenging as I'd set aside only two days to measure up the space, paint the walls, attach the sign and paste up the images before the Photo Fringe festival launch. I had no control over the weather and as rains lashed down and the wind blew I wrestled with the images.
The public response has been overwhelmingly uplifting and insightful as well: the portraits of local people in lockdown opens up conversation; for some it has been a very moving experience. There seems to be a lot of resonance for visitors when seeing a series of intimate portraits of people in their doorways, on the thresholds of their homes. For me, the project also continues in another form - as both a public exhibition and an opportunity to share ongoing experiences.
Undiagnosed comprises of 30 portraits of people living within Worthing and is at the West Buildings Shelter, Marine Parade, Worthing. Undiagnosed is on show for the entire month of Photo Fringe 2020.