Award-winning photographer adds new portraits to Ipswich exhibition
Internationally renowned photographer John Ferguson has unveiled a new series of portraits celebrating female artists from Suffolk at his exhibition in Christchurch Mansion.
Why it matters: The new 'Suffolk Creatives' collection addresses a gap in documenting the region's artistic talent, specifically highlighting the contributions of female artists who have previously lacked collective representation.
The big picture: Ferguson's exhibition, 'An Eye For Life', has been running since last summer at the Wolsey Art Gallery. The exhibition spans his 25-year career, featuring photographs of global celebrities, including David Bowie, Oasis and Dolly Parton, alongside local projects such as the Ipswich Banger Racers series.
What they're saying: "The exhibition has proved incredibly popular with visitors," says Councillor Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Planning and Museums. "These images tell stories of people's lives - challenging the viewer and changing perceptions of identity and portraiture, yet they are approachable and intimate too."
Who's featured: The new portraits showcase 11 female artists, including:
- Dide: Award-winning multi-disciplinary artist and composer
- Jennifer Hall: Artist, sculptor and printmaker
- Juliet Gilkes Romero: Award-winning playwright and journalist
- Hannah Debnam: Self-taught taxidermist
What's next: The public can meet Ferguson at a drop-in event on Saturday, 25 January, from 14:00 to 15:30 at the Wolsey Art Gallery.
The bottom line: The exhibition, which is free to enter, will continue at Christchurch Mansion's Wolsey Art Gallery until 27 April 2025, featuring both the new 'Suffolk Creatives' series and Ferguson's retrospective work.
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