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UEL students take part in Road to 2012: Facing East photo-exhibition

Tuesday 7 August 2012

NPG

University of East London (UEL) fine art and photography students have created Facing East, an exhibition resulting from a twelve-week project focusing on themes or groups of sitters in the build-up to London 2012. Using a range of photographic styles and techniques the UEL students have produced an exhibition of 65 new photographs of East Londoners that document the impact of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games on their communities. The exhibition opens at Four Corners, Bethnal Green on 9 August 2012 with a Private View on 15 August from 6.30pm-8.30pm.

Photographs include local Games volunteers, people working for the Green Legacy in the Lee Valley, commuter journeys, swimming club members, coffee shop baristas, landlords renting out their rooms, locals on Hackney Marshes and allotment owners. 

As well as curating and staging the exhibition under the guidance of National Portrait Gallery staff, the students developed their practice over a ten-week course of master classes and critique sessions led by internationally renowned photographers Anderson & Low, Jillian Edelstein, Brian Griffin, Emma Hardy, Nadav Kander and Bettina von Zwehl.

Over the last three years, these photographers have been commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery as part of the National Portrait Gallery/BT Road to 2012 Cultural Olympiad project. Their own work can be seen in Road to 2012: Aiming High at the National Portrait Gallery, London, until 23 September, as part of the London 2012 Festival.

 Professor Catherine Harper, Dean of the School of Arts & Digital Industries, University of East London, says:

 ‘This project has given the students a wonderful opportunity to explore contemporary photography and hone their professional skills through working alongside the truly inspirational Road to 2012 photographers.’

Sarah Dimmock, student, University of East London, says: ‘Being part of the Road to 2012 has been a great privilege and I feel honoured to have met some of the worlds’ greatest photographers. It‘s been an unbelievable journey.’

Liz Smith, Director of Participation and Learning, National Portrait Gallery, London, says: ‘The National Portrait Gallery is delighted to have collaborated with students from the University of East London. Their documentary portraiture provides a thought-provoking insight into local communities during the build up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and adds texture and vibrancy to the overall Road to 2012 project.’

 Road to 2012: Facing East is part of the London 2012 Festival, the spectacular 12-week nationwide celebration running from 21 June until 9 September 2012 bringing together leading artists from across the world with the very best from the UK.

www.npg.org.uk/roadto2012

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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