North: Volume One

Abstract

A region. A route. A response. — Welcome to the first edition of North; a new publication produced by students and staff from the Photography Department at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston. North is intended to be a showcase of photographic activity from North West England and a decisive challenge to the traditional degree show model that relies on gallery display as a default. At UCLan we pride ourselves on offering an open environment for early career practitioners to explore topics and approaches to visual communication however they choose. Our resistance to pursuing a ‘UCLan Style’ can be seen in the eclectic range of work featured in North produced by final year undergraduate students.This approach is only possible through the community of practice that has been developed by the combined efforts and diverse interests of an active and committed team of staff. Technical expertise, research informed teaching and contemporary industry links support the work of all students whilst simultaneously generating original work, as can be seen here in the portfolios of John Van Aitken and Brian J Morrison .Preston may not be top of the list of recognised photography cities ,yet it is precisely this anonymity that can give people the space to engage with photography and develop their personal voice with the medium. Jamie Hawkesworth and Ayesha Jones are two recent alumni that used their time of study to work out what it is they wanted to do with photography and are now recognised at an international level. Thank you for joining us; North is just the starting point of an archive of the future.

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