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Brazil to Brick Lane: UEL photographers create Ballroom in the Brewery

Wednesday 24 June 2009

Ballroom

UEL students are showcasing their impressive work at Europe's largest art and design show at the Truman Brewery, Brick Lane.The show entitled 'Tectonic Ballroom' features work from over 34 students studying on UEL's photography programmes.

"This is our third graduation group to feature at the Free range exhibition and each year it keeps getting bigger and better." said Ralph Hall, Senior Lecturer in Digital Arts and Visual Communication at the School of Architecture and Visual Arts.

"At UEL we encourage students to follow their own instincts and develop their own ideas and style and the fantastic results are presented here. I'm delighted that the students have enjoyed their programmes and I wish them all the best for the future."

The UEL show was organised by Emma McGuire, who is the exhibition presentation folio modules leader. Tectonic Ballroom ran from 18 – 22 June and the Free Range exhibition continues until 20 July. Full details of students' work on www.free-range.org.uk/

Lee Hooper from Tower Hamlets, BA Photography 'You and me'

"This project lasted a year and in some ways it's scary to debut it, but it looks really impressive. It's very upfront and honest, a snapshot of my life for a while. I wanted to keep it real, there were over 1000 negatives that I had to edit."

Gemma Amor from Essex, BA Photography 'Grandad Colin'

"This is a very personal project and a tribute to my granddad who is my male role model. It's a very ambitious project as I made a flexible mannequin in tribute to my granddad. The mannequin has 500 macro images on its face. I placed it around the house and in the garden. I'd like to get the mannequin a plane ticket next, to travel the world, although people sitting next to it might find that creepy!"

Paul Sonola from Newham, BA Graphic Design with Photography 'Empty Surroundings'

"My images relate to my life growing up in Newham and how things were then. I wanted my own space and I never seemed to have it because there was always so much happening around me in my family and otherwise. After this work, I want to continue on this theme for my book 'Childhood bliss' which is a contradiction because even though I was happy as a child, my photographs suggest loneliness but there's a lot beyond that."

Hugo Palotto from Bow, BA Photography 'Catador papel' (Paper collector)

"I am from Brazil and I decided to spend fifteen days talking to the people in Sao Paulo on the streets. They are known as the Catador papel, or the paper collectors and they collect the rubbish, sell it and make very little money. I wanted to see my life through these people and what made them tick. They are from North Brazil and they sell their rubbish for as little as 2 pence per kilo, it's their full time job."

Barbara Bargiel from Hackney, Mix Media installation 2009

"My current research revolves around grotesque figures such as the court jester, the mime, the clown. I am intrigued by people's behaviour from the masks hat each of us put on, willingly or not. In my belief, everyone is a clown. We all pose and pretend and it is unpredictable, endless. To reflect this I embody different characters 'in' myself by dressing up and posing as a clown or mime."

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Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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