Hundreds of works by artists and photographers will be displayed across Chester this month as Chester Photo Festival returns.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, which attracted 15,000 visitors across several city centre venues, this year’s showcase will begin with a preview event on Friday 16 October, from 2pm to 4pm, at Senate House on the University of Chester’s Exton Park campus, off Parkgate Road. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The festival, organised by Dr Alexandru Modoi, Chester Photo Festival Founder and Curator; Dr Cian Quayle, BA Photography Course Leader at the University; and the Chester Photo Festival Committee, invites applicants to consider their personal experience and relationship with photographic images.
The work included in the festival is based on an open call, where anyone can submit their images for selection, printing and framing. The festival takes a different approach to other photography festivals by opening up the field of applicants in a diverse and eclectic range of participants, attracting worldwide interest. On display will be more than 200 works by 114 amateur and professional artists and photographers.
Following the preview event on Friday, October 16, there will be walk-in artists talks at Senate House on Saturday and Sunday, running from 11am-4pm. A digital projection of the photographs will also be on show at Grosvenor Museum’s Lecture Theatre during those same hours.
The festival will also be showcased at Chester Picturehouse, St John’s Church and St Werburgh’s Church until October 29.
Last year’s festival was followed by a two-day symposium in April, with world-renowned artist and writer, Professor Victor Burgin delivering a keynote lecture. Documentation of the symposium proceedings is published alongside the works of all this year’s festival participants in a lavishly illustrated hardback book, designed by Festival Committee member Ian Clegg, available for sale at this year’s festival and at the Chester Photo Festival website: www.chesterphotofestival.com.
Cian said:
“Following the success of the first edition and the follow-up, the University and BA Photography’s links with the Chester Photo Festival and the city continue to grow. The festival is based on an open call and is democratic in its selection and exhibition, which distinguishes it from other photography festivals.”
Alexandru added:
“Chester Photo Festival brings photographers and artists together to meet, share and learn from one another. Rooted in photography’s ability to explore memory, identity and personal experience, the festival encourages people at all levels of experience to engage with photography as an accessible and democratic creative practice, using it to share stories, cultures, folklore and myths, to build relationships, and make their voices heard through talks, networking, collaborations and creative exchange in Chester.”
For more information on the opening times for Chester Photo Festival, visit: https://www.chesterphotofestival.com/.
