We English - Simon Roberts 

Over the course of a year Simon Roberts travelled England in a motor home, training his large format 4x5” plate camera on people and places across the country. His richly detailed large-scale photographs provide a vivid and elegiac account of modern England. Showing people playing golf in the shadow of a power station, enjoying a picnic at the side of the road or congregating en masse on a sandy beach, the photographs in We English explore issues of identity, belonging and the relationship between a people and their land.

We English is a very personal work, drawing on Roberts' childhood memories, his engagement with the tradition of British photographic work from Bill Brandt to Paul Graham, and his journey across the country. It is also a shared vision, informed by the public participation that Roberts encouraged during his journey via his website (www.we-english.co.uk).

Simon Roberts, born in Croydon 1974, has exhibited and published widely. Martin Parr chose We English as one of the best photo books of the last decade. Simon Roberts' other works include Motherland, a survey of contemporary Russia, and The Election Project, where he was commissioned as the official Election Artist by the House of Commons to produce a unique record of the UK General Election.

The opening of this exhibition is supported by Otley Brewing Company, who will bring over their fine ales! Also, Second Floor Extension has support from Arts Council of Wales.
http://www.thirdfloorgallery.com/exhibitions.html#exhibition26