‘Made in St Helens’ at the Godfrey Pilkington Gallery in St Helens, 24th March- 2nd April 2011.
Award Winning photographer Phil Starling puts the spotlight on St Helens. Twelve men from The Turks Head pub, Morley Street, feature in a photography project on show.
Ian Brownbill, Director of arts organisation Metal, asked twelve men from his local pub The Turks Head to recall memories of growing up in St Helens and the roles their mothers played in their lives. He invited award winning, London based, photographer Phil Starling to come to St Helens to work with them to capture a series of striking portraits, revealing their unique characters and their own personal histories.
The exhibition combines these pictures with landscape photography, looking at the industrial heritage of St Helens, and relating to the childhoods and personal connections the men have with their home town. The lives of the men span six decades; born between the 1930s to the 1980s all of them have been raised locally and have a unique take on what it means to be „Made in St Helens‟.
The Turks Head on Morley Street, voted Liverpool and District CAMRA pub of the year 2007 and 2008, is well known for its real ales and traditional “friendly local” atmosphere.
Phil Starling is a London Based photographer, he has over 25 years’ experience working in the field of photography. He is well known for his location photographs of the UK, and has won several awards for his portrait photography. His clients include BMW, British Airways and Sainsbury’s, and his images of people have graced a series of books and magazines (www.philstarling.co.uk).
The ambition of the project is to create a publication that features the photographs and the stories from the men that provides a unique snapshot of a changing society, reflecting on the town‟s past and contemplating its future. Ian and Phil are currently looking for local businesses to support the project.
The exhibition, and future publication, is an attestation to the belief that there is no such thing as an ordinary life.
Free Entry. Open: Thursday 24th March 2011 – Saturday 2nd April 2011. Mon – Sat 10 – 16.00
Venue Details
c. Phil Starling