AoP plans push in North West

Association of Photographers members in the North West are planning a series of regional exhibitions in a bid to promote photography talent outside the capital.

The exhibition, entitled ‘Seen’ and branded by Reform Creative, has an aim of increasing AoP membership in the North West and promoting regional photographers to design houses and art directors in the area.

Organiser and AoP member Rob Maclese explains that he and four others discussed the idea following the AoP’s Signature show in London last year.

‘The Signature exhibition was about how photographers approach the marketplace and promote themselves, be it to publishers, advertisers or design houses. Barry Lategan’s Twiggy shot is probably the most famous signature piece. There’s not a lot of movement in the photography scene in Manchester, so we wanted to do something here and not be reliant on a London gallery,’ says Maclese.

Famous names such as Jonathan Oakes, Tim McConville, Geoff Smith and Graeme Cooper are among the 27 exhibitors to have been confirmed.

Maclese hopes to get the number of exhibitors up to 50 by the time the exhibition opens at the end of September.

A venue and date have yet to be confirmed but organisers expect the exhibition to be held at Dukes 92 in Castlefield, Manchester.

Maclese is also in talks with AoP members in Leeds, Liverpool and Edinburgh to extend the series there.