PERSPECTIVES

A couple of weeks ago I came upon this exhibition whilst on a stroll along the river.



Perspectives is an open air photographic exhibition at More London, near London Bridge on the banks of The Thames.

The exhibition is a showcase of the works of 'respected English photo-journalist Tom Stoddart, a man whose photography has taken him around the world since his career began on a local newspaper in the North East in the 1970s.'

I found the exhibition very poignant - being deliberately timed to pop-up during the Olympics. Perspectives highlights past and present atrocities around the world at a time when the world is coming together in celebration.

A well-nourished Sudanese man steals maize from a starving child during food distribution at a medecins sans frontieres feeding centre, Ajiep, Sudan, in 1998






BHACHAU, INDIA-FEBRUARY 2001:
A child plays with pigeons among the ruins of Bhachau, India, one of the worst hit towns after the earthquake of 2001 struck the region of Gujarat.






IRAQ – These Royal Marines from 539 Assault Squadron have been under fire during a night-time patrol, and have just been told that one of their comrades has been killed. Tiredness and grief overcome them


SARAJEVO – In the dangerous Sarajevo suburb of Dobrinja, Meliha Vareshanovic walks proudly and defiantly to work every day. Her message to the watching Serbian gunmen who surround her city is simple, ‘You will never defeat us’





There isn't a visitors book at the exhibition, instead they have filmed peoples opinions and feedback. The videos are available to watch here.

It certainly stopped me unexpectedly in my tracks on a beautiful sunny day, and made me take some time out to stop and think.
Tom Stoddart's photographs are extremely powerful and sometimes even hard to look at - The whole area was almost silent with people also being absorbed by his work, taking time to reflect and pay respect to many of the individuals in his photography.

If your in London, check it out - its up until 11th September. If not, check out his website, an incredibly brave man and an inspiration to us all.


JS