Wirral artist takes a new view

Aug 5 2009 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

Wirral artist takes a new view

WHEN Hema Patel moved to New Brighton 12 months ago she was so dismayed by the lack of quality postcards she decided to create her own.

And now the 34-year-old photographer has taken delivery of a series of 12 images and secured exhibition space at Wallasey Central Library, as well as a stall at the approaching Craft, Art and Food Fair in the Floral Pavilion. She will even see her work displayed as posters in New Brighton, Wallasey Grove Road and Wallasey Village stations.

Hema, who moved from Manchester but grew up in London, told Wirral Arts: “I’m absolutely loving it in New Brighton.

“The quality of life is unbelievable and I’ve got a much bigger flat with a view of the sea.

“The best bit is to see all the boats and ferries coming in and going out – there’s something romantic about that.”

The idea for creating postcards that reflect the New Brighton of 2009 grew from Hema’s frustration at being unable to find anything she considered representative, to help illustrate her new home to friends scattered across the country.

She said: “New Brighton has a lot of beauty, with its history as a big seaside resort, the ballroom, all the music venues, and so much happening in New Brighton’s future, with Neptune and all the retail units.

“What I wanted to do was capture New Brighton as it is today, before the mass development.

“It’s post-Victorian but pre-modernity.”

The images are beautifully composed and make use of Hema’s outsider perspective to deliver fresh feeling vistas utilising oft-ignored natural or man-made features to provide structure, or lead the eye toward the horizon.

The results hold a vitality and simplicity that invite closer inspection.

Hema said: “I just want to make art affordable, to make it accessible.”

The career coach intends to retail her postcards at 40p each and has secured a provisional order from Cards Galore in New Brighton, with plans to target hotels and other outlets.

In the meantime, Hema will be launching her series, under the working title The Natural Beauty of New Brighton at the Floral Pavilion’s Craft, Art and Food Fair on Saturday August 8.

To contact Hema, email matahari_75@hotmail.com

Are you an artist working in Wirral? Do you run a gallery? Call Matt Hurst on 0151 330 5042 or email matt.hurst@liverpool.com