Our Photography students have many opportunities to explore and establish their own creative practice. Throughout the course, students are able to showcase their work in a variety of galleries, exhibitions and shows.
Recently, first year students from the Photography BA organised and hosted the ‘Tune-In’ Exhibition at London Gallery West. London Gallery West is a contemporary exhibition space based at our Harrow Campus. It is used to showcase the media, art and design work of our students, alumni, local and international artists.
Students were responsible for creating the concept of the exhibition, promotion of the event and setting up the displays. We spoke with five students (Barr Kroter, Bing Xia, Charlotte Mannouch, Jacqueline Browning and Keira O’Connor) about how it felt to exhibit their work and their experiences studying Photography at Westminster.
Tell us more about your work or project that you showcased at the recent Tune-in Exhibition
Bing: The collection of photographs I displayed is an exploration of the city I came to as a stranger. I used black and white film in this series to express my personal feelings, and explore the different perspectives of London.
Jacqueline: The project I showcased was titled ‘9 Trees’. This is the number of trees required to balance the average UK citizen’s yearly carbon consumption and to help tackle the climate crisis.
To capture this project, I explored the versatility of film with 9 multiple exposures, keeping the framing and distance as consistent as possible. Circling a lone tree, the surrounding landscape fades into the background with each exposure, resulting in an impressionistic form of the tree.
How did you feel about showcasing your work during your first year?
Keira: I enjoyed showing my project, it allowed me to showcase it to people who wouldn’t normally see my work. It also gave me experience on how an exhibition works and what happens behind the scenes.
Jacqueline: I found it to be a great experience! I really enjoyed experimenting with film and multiple exposures for this project, and was very happy with the results. To be able to create meaning and articulate my work highlighted to me how much I have learnt in the first year of doing the course, as I would not have been able to do this a year ago.
Bing: I feel very proud to have had the opportunity to showcase my work in my first year of study. It’s a great feeling to have your work on display in a gallery and have the chance to discuss this with an audience.
What was the highlight of having your work on display at the exhibition?
Charlotte: Seeing so many people there looking at my own and also my classmate’s work. I know how hard we all worked and it was so rewarding, I was so proud of myself and everyone involved.
Ellie: A highlight was speaking to other people about my work, hearing how they perceived it and what they liked. I enjoy receiving verbal feedback because it allows you to have more of a discussion and share ideas about the concept. I received positive feedback from both peers and lecturers. Many said they liked the choice of vibrant colours and they said their favourite was the blue montage, which I can only agree with.
What do you hope to achieve by continuing to study photography at Westminster?
Jacqueline: I want to be a fine art photographer, who makes work with current and significant meaning to it. My re-found love of analogue is something I want to pursue, to learn more about traditional and alternative darkroom processes. Learning about photographers who use experimental and alternative methods, on this course, has greatly influenced my ‘9 trees’ project and how it began. Experimental photography is an area that I am keen to do more of.
Charlotte: I hope to strengthen my photographic knowledge and make forever bonds with people on my course. To learn more about myself as both a person and a photographer. But most of all, to hopefully figure out what I’d like to do career wise within photography. Currently, I have some ideas however I’d like to explore my options further.
Barr: By continuing to study photography at Westminster I hope to learn as much as possible. I would like to experience as many opportunities as I can, before I finish my degree and choose an area of photography to follow. I hope to understand different perspectives, by learning how others think, see and feel and translating this into my own photography.
When I first started, I thought I knew a lot and that my mind was made up about which type of photographer I want to be. However, I quickly came to the realisation that there is so much to explore when it comes to photography and I am at the start of my journey.
Watch our short TikTok video of the Tune-In Exhibition.
