During my Thursday afternoon, I decided to attend the opening ceremony of the “Wanderland Exhibition” which was produced by the University of Huddersfield’s second year photography students. The theme of this exhibition was “Homeland”, which was explored through the work of 11 photographers who worked both individually and collaboratively to deliver their interpretations of this word.
The exhibition as a whole was thoroughly engaging, the venue was bright and spacious which allowed for the work to be arranged appropriately and I never once felt that the exhibition space was too cluttered. A lot of the work featured within showcased vast and various landscape settings, which reflected well with the space. The sense of exploration felt by the photographers through the creation of these images was reciprocated through this experience; as I moved through this space I felt as if I was exploring these places alongside the photographer. The accompanying artist statements gave me further insights into the importance of these places to the photographers and what they were aiming to express with this work. The images which populated these walls were visually striking and a pleasure to look at.
As I moved into the next space I was able to observe the work of Sophia Iggulden, who had a small room devoted entirely to her project “Out The Window”. Immediately, there was a shift in tone most notably enforced by the strong self-portrait photographs which were mounted on each wall within the room. These images created a sombre atmosphere, which was emphasised by the small space, and it was apparent that this series differed from the rest. Upon viewing this imagery as well as reading through the accompanying artist statement and photobook, I felt a connection with Sophia. Through her work I was given an insight into her interpretation of “Homeland”, but also her experience with the creation of this work and the influence it has had on who she is as a person. This series was definitely a highlight for me within the exhibition as it adapted this traditional portrayal of "homeland" from more than just an exploration of the surrounding environment.
I would recommend this exhibition to anyone, as the work commonly discusses universal experiences including our interactions with and understanding of our own “homeland”. This series of photographs provided me with a look into the lives of others, as well as encouraging me to consider my own. The exhibition plans to remain open until April 30th and is located within Huddersfield Piazza Centre at the Temporary Contemporary Unit 15. For more information visit https://instagram.com/wanderlandexhibition?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
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