LIP Central January 2024 Meeting – LIP Satellite Groups

Eighteen members braved the cold for the first meeting of 2024 to see images on the set theme for the evening – hope – and several personal projects.

Eve Milner’s take on hope centred on the idea of the hope involved in bringing new life into the world. She began with a beautiful image of her infant granddaughter balling her fist. She continued this idea in a model of a very modern and diverse Nativity scene in Southwark Cathedral which was reflected in a scene in a Victorian stained-glass window. Images of a sun rise and candles completed her set.

Edey Templeton presented two versions of hope – light and return of Spring. Her images included a daffodil bravely flowering in January and a lighted window at the end of corridor.

Mark Friend’s pictures were of a march against anti Semitism and, in his words, were in some ways the opposite of hope. The anguish etched in some of the marchers’ faces were testimony to this. However, there was hope in the numbers of people marching in solidarity.

Steve Jones showed a variety of images including an installation of a domestic scene made up entirely of household rubbish in a street – the hope in creating a vision of warmth and comfort from nothing. He also showed a picture of Dreamland in Margate – the ultimate destination for hopeful dreamers.

Janet Nabney chose to picture the way a street musician brought a community together in song during the summer. This also reminded her of listening to musicians in Washington Square in New York City.

Moving on to personal projects, Hady Bayoumi showed examples of “painting with a camera.” These were layered images constructed in post-production. The images had enormous depth and
complexity.

Frankie McAllister showed pictures from her recent trip to Glencoe in dramatic winter weather. Her images showed the force of wind and rain sweeping her up in its power. She also showed a calmer side to the landscape in rare glimpses of sun.

Alec Wyllie’s pictures were of his annual trip to see the New Year lights in Edinburgh. The images showed how the lights enhanced the geometry of the buildings in the New Town as well as giving a lighter side to the city with its lighted Ferris wheel.

Dorota Boisot used a long exposure to produce self portraits with a ghost self. The result was a set of intriguing and inventive portraits where she appeared to shake hands with herself and to sit beside herself. It was thought that these resembled the early 20 th century spiritualist pictures used by mediums as proof of communication with the dead.

Rashida Mangera showed part of her series of embroidered photographs. The projected versions made clear the skill and work involved but it was the actual prints which revealed the textures and fine detail. These were a delicate and beautiful set.

Raj Munisami had a wide variety of images in different genres and styles. Amongst these were a sensitive portrait of a Hindu priest which showed his dignity and character and a picture taken of a worshiper in a temple.

The next meeting will take place on 14th February and the theme will be “seasons”.