Bristol Archives has an extraordinary collection of 500, 000 images including photographs and films depicting life in the British empire. 27 people from different walks of life were asked to each choose one image and they brought their own perspective to the pictures. The images are from the time of the British Empire dating from 1880 to 1960. There was also an introductory video about the growth; establishment and decline of the commonwealth.
For a person from my generation, this was a unique insight into a different time and arguably a different world. It is was interesting to view the images from the selectors perspective; their take on the culture and practises of the time and what it meant for them personally. It is an excellent way to highlight the legacy of Empire and its impact on people's lives.
I visited this exhibition on the 22nd of March 2018 and really enjoyed the experience. See below for my favourite images and reviews.
There were works by different artists taken across a century. It was very useful to see black and white photography from a different era using the technology available at the time. including there. I had the opportunity to see panoramic photography and how they used lighting while capturing landscapes.
The exhibition is in a relatively small room on the second floor and almost hidden. It is well signposted and advertised, but one has to go looking for it. I think it would have benefitted from being exhibited on the ground floor where there is more footfall.
I would recommend this event to anybody who has an interest in photography whether they are just starting out or whether they are a seasoned pro. It is an excellent exhibition highlighting the legacy of Empire and its impact on people's lives and would recommend it to anyone who would like to explore this era.
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