Why it matters: The exhibition gives residents, shoppers and visitors the chance to view world-class photography while transforming vacant high street units into vibrant cultural spaces.
The details: On Monday, 20 October, 20 images with inspiring quotes were installed around the town centre for everyone to see and enjoy as they walk around.
A further 20 images are on display inside the former Boots unit in the Buttermarket Centre as a pop-up exhibition until Sunday, 26 October.
Following the exhibition, each of the images displayed in the Buttermarket Centre will be signed by John and presented to Ipswich businesses and community groups.
What they're saying: John Ferguson said at the opening event on Tuesday, 21 October: "It's a privilege to be working with Ipswich Central and showcasing my work both inside the Buttermarket Centre and outdoors in the towns' shop windows. It's a wonderful way to display my photographs to the general public in an engaging alternative way."
At the opening event, Ferguson also shared stories about where, when and why the photographs chosen are so special, describing how difficult it was to select just 40 photographs for the 'Inspiring Ipswich' display.
Lee Walker, chief executive of Ipswich Central, said: "We are committed to embracing public art and showcasing local talent in a vibrant and engaging way, whilst also brightening a selection of long-standing vacant units."
He added: "Thanks to John Ferguson for allowing us to display his wonderful photographs around Ipswich town centre to brighten the town and for Rebecca Bird, manager of the Buttermarket Centre for allowing use of one of the vacant units to display more of his images as a pop-up exhibition."
For context: Ferguson completed a master's in fine art classics at the University of Suffolk and lives in Ipswich. He is proud to call Ipswich home and to be "inspiring Ipswich" with this exhibition.
His work is held in the National Portrait Gallery's permanent collection in London, and his career has seen him work in over 50 countries, photographing some of the world's biggest celebrities and covering humanitarian issues across the globe.
The bottom line: Residents have until Sunday, 26 October to experience the free exhibition. Head over to the former Boots unit inside the Buttermarket Centre.
