Gwen, Final Analysis by Zelda Cheatle
A lovely write-up in this months Amatuer Photographer magazine of my ’Gwen, Did I Want To Be Here?’ portrait, written by Zelda Cheatle.
My 5’6” tall image of Gwen can still be seen at the Royal Photographic Society ‘Squaring The Circles of Confusion’ exhibition in Bristol until November 6th along with great work by Takashi Arai, Susan Derges, David George, Joy Gregory, Tom Hunter, Ian Phillips McLaren, Céline Bodin and Spencer Rowell.
My portrait of Gwen is also about to be used to try to raise some awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research.
ng The Circles of Confusion’ exhibition in Bristol.
The portrait is also about to be used by Alzheimer’s Research to try to raise some awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s & Dementia research.
Some other lovely words below, that have been said about my 'Gwen' piece.
Pierre Zeler – One rare master piece !
John Higginson – You see things sometimes that literally change the way you see, how you feel, they reframe the world. This is one of those times. From the reasoning to the final execution this image is as breathtaking as it is moving. Thank you for sharing.
Diana H Bloomfield – Seriously Amazing – This is wonderful, Ian. Both conceptually and the printing. Amazing feat, really!
Mark Thompson writer / author
One of the most powerful and yet beautiful photography pieces I have ever seen… Stunning, and breathtaking, despite the sadness and loss of this beautiful lady – an image I shall never forget…. ❤️
Incredible photo of Gwen – it’s at times like this I wish I could travel back in time to meet the subject of a photograph or painting or someone written about…. Wonderful photograph and such a fabulous and fascinating exhibition .
Christine Fitzgerald – Brilliant piece
Amanda Knight – Incredible, what a wonderful piece! Such a powerful message!
Alice Wood – Such a touching photograph. Everyone who has had a family member touched by Alzheimer’s will recognise this heartbreaking phrase. Well done, darling Ian
Jane Foster – Such layers and expertise that show and convey her inner world – great picture wonderful you
Ya Ya Teahouse – This is an incredible print, Ian. I can‘t even fathom how much work this must have been. And to do it all in gum is just mind-blowing.
I wish I could see it in person.
Sally North – Ian, this is an amazing print, to do this in gum Bichromate and to have each section so similar in tone and colour is truly gobsmacking!!
My hat is off to you, and I would love to see it in person.
I feel for you and the beautiful Gwen with your back story, it is a sad story. Thank you for sharing that private moment, it gives this image some heartfelt meaning to everyone that will look upon it.
Alan Glover – Wow, Ian I remember commenting initially to express my awe at this gum print/labour of love and am so pleased to hear it is going on show in Bristol. Definitely a date to put in the diary, and the rest of the exhibition sounds really interesting too. I look forward to seeing it up close, and your background of Gwen is very poignant and your experience familiar to me.
Debajan Das Gupta – What a piece !! Anything between 48 – 64 impressions / layers if not more! Speaks volumes about your dedication and meticulousness leaving aside the fact that it is a wonderful portrait – full of character !! Thank you for sharing
Andrew Sanderson – What a huge undertaking! Impressive!
Brent Mathison – This piece is absolutely stunning. And the story behind it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing.
Pictorial Light – Brilliant image! The image and title are well matched! Thank you for sharing such a powerful image and story.
Review – The Lancashire Times
Perhaps the most dominant image of the whole exhibition is Ian Phillips McLaren’s ‘Gwen’., his Mother in Law. It is the largest single piece in the exhibition.
Through what looks like the panes of a window, we view the face of an elderly lady. For McLaren, it was a labour of love, taking over seven months to complete and involving many photographic techniques and overlays.
A face behind a window: is it suggesting the isolation felt by Alzheimers sufferers? Or, as I first thought, a face asking you to join her inside? Whatever was in the artist’s mind, it is an imposing work.
If the keynote for ‘Gwen’ is dignity, then David George’s is charm.
It may not sound promising, but his photographs, depicting the industrial decline of Teesside, reveal an unexpected beauty in a decaying heritage. In addition, the decision to put George’s images in a gallery with Scarborough Art Gallery’s collection of Atkinson Grimshaw’s was an inspired one. Grimshaw’s ability to extract the sublime from unlikely subject matter complements George’s vision of the decline of an industrial powerhouse. Further, and I must admit this had to be pointed out to me, one shot of a tranquil river scene has a Barratt house sitting on top of a river bank.
Dorcas Taylor, curator at Scarborough Museums and Galleries. “This exhibition is a rare opportunity to see the very best in contemporary photography.
“We hope it will inspire visitors, students and photographers to delve more deeply into this creative medium and its history.
“As photography is one of the most accessible ways to express ourselves and explore the world around us, this exhibition poses questions about the power of photography and how historic processes can be brought to life to reflect the world back at us today.”
Lizzie brown – What an amazing piece of work! I am really looking forward to seeing it in the exhibition.
Katalin Peto – This work is amazing!