Women at COP26 Exhibition

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TRONGATE 103 Gallery SEPT 29 - OCT 23 2022

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New Portrait Exhibition

I wrote about several projects I was involved in during COP26, and one of them was #GirlsAtCOP26 where I photographed various female speakers from all over the world. The event has since won an international award and now, almost a year from the climate conference in Glasgow, an exhibition featuring 50 portraits of women I took during those two weeks in 2021 is opening on Thursday, September 29th at Trongate 103 Gallery in collaboration with Street Level Photoworks.

Claire Stewart, a friend of mine and a brilliant photography lecturer at City of Glasgow College, is curating the show (she was an invaluable asset when I was putting together my previous exhibition). We’ve been working with Claire, Glasgow City Council and project manager Shirani Sabaratnam for the past 6 months and while the last few weeks have been rather stressful, I’m now excited and delighted to be finally able to let everyone know about this project. Prints have been made by the ever-reliable folks at Deadly Digital using environmentally friendly materials. The exhibition runs till October 23rd so there’s plenty of time for you to go and see it and when you do, I’d love to hear about it!

Scroll below for some behind-the-scenes snaps taken during preparations as well as the gallery’s opening hours and location.

 

Trongate 103 Gallery opening times:

Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday 10:00 - 17:00
Friday 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday 12:00 - 17:00

Girls at COP26

“Where the problems are man-made, the solutions are feminist.”
Mary Robinson

This quote from Mary Robinson was the inspiration behind Glasgow City Council’s series of events throughout COP26, ensuring the voices of women and girls were centred in the climate emergency discussions.

I’ve done a few projects during the climate change conference in Glasgow last November, and I will be showcasing some of them in future posts, but GirlsAtCop26 was probably the most rewarding one. 2,500 Year 3 school girls (approximately 15 yo) from Glasgow’s 30 high schools came together over the course of 10 days to discuss climate change with a range of female speakers from all over the world. Sessions took place at Glasgow Caledonian University and my job was to photograph the panellists - from Scottish writers to the mayor of Utrecht.

I wasn’t able to attend every session due to other commitments, but I managed to cover most of them and I loved the experience. I enjoy the challenge of making a connection with someone in a very limited time and putting them at ease in order to get a relaxed and honest photograph. I photographed over 40 women during those two weeks and was hugely inspired, and often moved by them. It was a privilege, and I hope I did them justice. It would take a whole separate section of this site to exhibit all of the images taken so I chose 12 of my personal favourites to showcase below:

(to read about the 2022 exhibition Women At COP26 featuring these images click here)

SARA SHERIDAN

Writer, UK

EVA PEACE MUKAYIRANGA

Activist, Rwanda

FREDDIE CAMPBELL

Indigenous Clean Energy, Canada

LOLITA JACKSON

Sustainable Development Capital, USA

SHIRANI SABARATNAM

Broadcaster, UK

ALEXA MAUDE

Activist, Canada

IZZIE ERIKSEN

ApparelXchange, UK

SIOBHAN MCKENNA

ReJean, UK

JUDE KELLY

Theatre Director, UK

JACKIE TOLLAND

Parent Network Scotland, UK

SHARON DIJKSMA

Mayor of Utrecht, The Netherlands

SARAH STATES

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, USA

GEAR
Nikon D850 + Nikkor 85mm f1.4

Clinetix - Be You Campaign

Clinetix is an award-winning rejuvenation clinic with locations in Bothwell and Glasgow's West End. At the end of last year, I had the pleasure of shooting their "Be You" marketing campaign promoting bespoke treatments aimed at people of various ages and walks of life. The shoot took place at 29 Glasgow and Dakota Hotel as well as outdoors on Buchanan Street. Hair and make up by Carly Gray.

Behind the scenes:

The Dolls - Behind The Scenes

The Dolls are Louise McCarthy (Only an Excuse?) and Gayle Telfer Stevens (River City) and I wrote about working with them before. When their Dolls Abroad tour finally hit the King's Theatre in Glasgow earlier this spring (for 3 sold out shows no less) I was asked to document the process of putting the show together. It was a very, very long day but in all honesty, it was one of the most rewarding working experiences I've had. Have a look at some of the shots below: