As we emerge into the Spring sunshine. I begin to think of longer days, heat on my skin, vitamin D soaking through. Today is the 25th of February and the sound of birds cheeping and the promise of new things hang in the air. From September to April 24 I worked with The New Langdale Photographers a group of learning-disabled photographers based in Blackpool already established for 9 years where we explored civic architecture together. Co-opening a Community Photography Darkroom based at Aunty Social in Blackpool, taking on a new role as Photography Champion with Photoworks. Photographing for new online magazine The Lead, capturing Warm Hubs, Reclaim The Streets Activists, Romany Gypsy Fortune Tellers. Photographing an array of wonderful women from Grange Park a social housing area in Blackpool with a lengthy and interesting history
Robert from The New Langdale Photography Group - Blackpool Promenade North
I believe the blog is dead. But writing about what I have been doing seems to help me. As always as I head towards the end of the Arts Council project grant with New Langdale photographers I feel like I have learned and that the camera continues to teach me about the place where I live, the people I meet, and how I can look at things more closely. Mostly putting my camera down to work with The New Langdale Photographers the best outcomes seemed to come when I was talking to The New Langdalers about framing, or what was in front of the camera, and sharing an experience of where we live taking tram rides to stops designed by JC Robinson The Blackpool Borough Architect or having conversations with people who had relationships with the swimming pools or libraries designed by an architect we still know little about. I want to know more about this kind of practice, photographing the buildings of JC Robinson and talking to the people who experienced the spaces could go on forever. However, I am interested now in how The New Langdale photographers can continue to explore build new relationships, and share their stories and images.
I began to research Neuro Diverse photography projects and came across Polly Braden https://www.pollybraden.com/exhibitions#/out-of-shadows/ which although has some similarities is about the statistic that relates to 7% of people in the criminal justice system have a learning disability. The Through Our Eyes Project is a photographic series and exhibition that addresses inequality in healthcare, education, and employment. Picture Me is a project with Anna Leask exploring how photography is an alternative form of communication for photographers who may have intellectual limitations. Involving Everyone is a project with Rachael Munrow Fawcett which forms an accessible digital photography Inclusion North, to share the lives of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their families in the North East of England. As one of the most excluded and vulnerable groups in society, people with profound and multiple learning disabilities are not seen and not heard in our communities. We have also uncovered a photography competition from The Down Syndrome Association https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/our-voice/my-perspective/ and have eagerly looked at some of the inclusion policies and great work the organisation does. I aim for us (Donna Hannigan and Elizabeth Gomm the practicing photographers on The New Langdale project) to further support The New Langdale/ JC Robinson project by contacting the artists and organisations listed to share knowledge and experience on creating legacy for the work we have created together.
Current work from The New Langdale and JC Robinson Photography series are on display at The Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool until the end of March 2024 Grundy Art Gallery Sharing Social Space