Helen introduces her photography group’s latest exhibition at North London Hospice
If you need a break from all your Christmas preparations, pop along to view the brand new exhibition by North London Hospice’s patient and family photography group, Catching The Light, during the first weekend of December.
This year’s display at the hospice’s Health and Wellbeing Centre in Winchmore Hill is testament to the determination and positivity of the group as we continued to do what we do as photographers, despite the pandemic.
Catching The Light 2 reflects the passions of five group members – patients, carers and family members – as we ventured out with our cameras during some of the brightest and darkest days of 2020. The exhibition, curated by professional photographer Francis Ware, encapsulates our creative endeavours against the odds, from the wonders of nature to the eerie stillness of London.
Wellbeing is fundamental to the self-organised photography group at the Health and Wellbeing Centre and Catching The Light 2 follows our first successful exhibition in 2019, which drew in large crowds at its launch. Visitors to the free open house event (10am–4pm on both the Saturday and Sunday) can view the collection and chat to Catching The Light members who will be only too happy to tell the stories behind the images.
I’m one of the group’s regular members, and it was my aim to capture portraits of people going about their everyday business during lockdown. I wanted to capture something of the mood, feel and look of the time. I worked by approaching people I met on the street, taking their portrait there and then, in the location and as the person was when I met them. There was no prior preparation.
I got a lot out of it because, at the time, especially at the beginning of lockdown, there was some apprehension and everyone felt a bit nervous going out with face masks. To be able to make that connection with people, I really got a lot out of it myself.
We hope the Enfield community will enjoy viewing our exhibition.
Catching The Light 2 is on display at the North London Hospice Health and Wellbeing Centre, 110 Barrowell Green, Winchmore Hill, N21 3AY, on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th December 2021, 10am–4pm. Entry is free.
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