Birkenhead Photographic Association exhibition goes on display

Sep 16 2009 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

BIRKENHEAD Photographic Association’s first exhibition in two years opened on Saturday, marking the Year of the Environment.

BPA, founded more than 100 years ago, has gathered a selection of some 45 images from members to display within exhibition space at the Visitor Centre in Birkenhead Park.

Built around a central theme of the environment, the exhibition features a diverse range of subject matter from simple interpretations of natural scenes, to wildlife imagery and more conceptual pieces that attempt to examine energy use and wastage.

Joyce Turner is president of BPA. She told Wirral Arts: “The exhibition is a collection of images from our members showing different interpretations of the world around us, coming under the subject of the ‘the environment’.

“The photos displayed include representations of birds and butterflies in their natural habitat and flowers, both wild and cultivated, our changing seasons, as well as our coastline and historic association with the sea and shipping.”

The exhibition runs until September 27 and is hung in the eastern wing of the Visitor Centre.

The slim space is flanked on one side by a wall of glass, allowing natural light to flood in and provide a perfect setting for the appreciation of each piece, especially for an display themed around the environment.

As well as creating interest for visitors, BPA hopes the exhibition will encourage more people to join.

Joyce, who lives in Spital, has carried a camera throughout her life but joined ten years ago.

She said: “I’ve always enjoyed taking photographs but when you go to the club you have people there who are willing to help you, and discuss photography.

“We also have regular competitions with judges and the judges give you very constructive criticism, which is probably the best way of learning to take photographs.”

Joyce added: “We hope it will help to promote people’s appreciation of the environment and possibly inspire an interest in photography itself.”

lThe exhibition runs at Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre from September 12 to September 27 and is open between 11am and 4pm daily.Admission is free.

For more on the BPA, visit the website at www. the-bpa.org.uk or call 0151 343 0268.