University captures Black Country Echoes

The university will join the celebrations of the Black Country Echoes working with local people who share the enthusiasm of recording its history.

Black Country Echoes is a collaboration between the local authorities of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, working with voluntary arts, community and business sector organisations to celebrate the manufacturing traditions of the Black Country and its reputation for creativity and innovation.

The University’s School of Creative Arts and Design will showcase their artwork at The Bessant Gallery in the University’s MK building on Wulfruna Street.

The event will run from September 1 until Oct 31 and open to the public from 9am until 5pm.

Photography Graduates Jon Wills, Tony Blood, Angelika Molek and Laura Moseley will display their artwork in the themes of landscapes, people, art and the industry.

Their photographs range from focusing on the post-industrial communities and landscapes of the Black Country, to the new and emerging nascent possibilities of the present showing local people making their lives and living in the Black Country, today.

Dr Peter Day, Course Leader in Photography said: “The art work reflects and represents the region, specifically much of the change and ambition of the region that is often reflected within the people, work and communities that exist here, some post-industrial and others the new, emerging and nascent contemporary industry .

“The Photography Programmes ambition is to become the lead centre for Photography and image culture within the Black Country and the region, exporting the many identities of the region nationally and internationally.

“It is important therefore that our students have professional platforms from which they can showcase their talents, the Black Country Echoes Festival allows us to do all of these things.

“This is an excellent platform for our graduate to progress their careers into the creative industry.”

Jon Wills transforms images of industry and individuals in to intriguing montages which merge the people and their place of work. Tony Blood and Angelika Molek use a more traditional documentary approach to show work and living in the region, whilst Laura Moseley's images are close observations of the interaction of people and the landscape they inhabit. 

Banners of the celebratory event are currently displayed throughout Wolverhampton City Centre.

To find out more, visit the Black Country Echoes website

ENDS

For more information please contact Danielle Taylor in the Media Relations Office on
01902 322448

Date Issued: 11 September 2014