2021 - STAMP: The Queen’s Head. Tribute to artist Arnold Machin
I was one of a number of artists participating in Danny Callaghan/Ceramic City Stories’ community led celebration of Arnold Machin’s iconic ‘profile portrait’ of Queen Elizabeth II, used on postage stamps since 1967.
My ‘side-selfie’ monochrome portrait photographs, and other artists’ work, were on display at Winkhill Mill, Stoke, throughout June 2022.
News: The Sentinel, 27.05.2022, “Stoke-on-Trent 'hero' who created the most reproduced artwork of all time.”
2019 - Back to Ours Album: Part 1
‘Photojournalism of the arts’, commissioned by Back to Ours, Arts Council England Creative People and Places project.
Following 2 years of assignments documenting the delivery and impact of Back to Ours, my exhibition at Artlink gallery, and published booklet, reflected on the diverse range of artistic projects delivered and commissioned by Back to Ours, and how the project has engaged communities in Hull.
2019 - Stories from Fountain Road Estate, Absolutely Cultured
Outdoor exhibition, and booklet. Commissioned by Absolutely Cultured.
Stories from Fountain Road Estate celebrated the lives of local people in unique exhibition displayed in the heart of the community.
Working with Absolutely Cultured volunteers to interview and photograph the people and architecture of the Fountain Road Estate, I captured the unique stories of 35 residents.
25 panels of portraits were mounted on the exterior walls of the former park- keeper’s hut at Waterloo Street Play Area. 150 visitors attended the opening day of the exhibition, with many dozens more coming to see the images over the course of the following week. To accompany the exhibition, 2,500 booklets were also published and distributed to visitors and residents of the estate.
“At first glance, the fixtures of this modern estate can seem unwelcoming to visitors, with so many bollards, barriers, metal fences and grills – all forbidding the visitor to ‘go there’ or to ‘do this and that’.
“However, behind the defensive architecture are people just as warm and welcoming as those that embraced the community-spirit of the terraced housing in pre-war years. Their stories are full of colour, wit, humour, tenacity, endurance, and ingenuity.” Jerome Whittingham
Website: Absolutely Cultured, Stories from Fountain Road Estate
2018 - FEASTival People, Freedom Festival Arts Trust
Commissioned by Freedom Festival Arts Trust, I spent the summer of 2018 visiting local food growers to examine the impact locally-produced food is having on communities in the city of Hull.
The project helped to tell the story of Freedom Festival’s ‘FEASTival’, an enormous community meal of locally grown food, shared by 1,500 people, prepared by dozens of volunteers.
FEASTival’s Creative Partner was Artlink, and Delivery Partner was Timebank Hull & East Riding. The FEASTival People project comprised audio interviews published as podcasts on social media, and a booklet of portraits which was gifted to visitors to the festival.
“FEASTival, I have found, is about something altogether more nourishing than just locally grown food – it’s about friendship. I’ve met people who grow and eat together to improve their English language. I’ve met children who get grubby after school to make friends and learn skills for life. I’ve met people whose homes are happier, because of the time they spend watching the clouds float by from their allotment shed.” Jerome Whittingham.
Website: FEASTival People, Artlink
2017 - Advent People
In this self-funded portraiture project I met some of the Hull's movers and shakers to ask 'what next for the city of Hull as our year of UK City of Culture comes to an end?'
Presented on twitter, with an opportunity for all to comment and add their own thoughts too, Advent People reflected not on the end of a remarkable year for the city - but on its remarkable future.
2017 - Off The Shelf – Encounters between photographer Jerome Whittingham and Hull Library Services.
Installation of photographs, commissioned by Hull Library Services and the James Reckitt Library Trust.
Looking back over recent years this playful installation documented Hull Library Service’s support for the arts in the city of Hull – from my perspective. Comprising over 200 photographs, from many events, including: Humber Mouth Literature Festival, Heads Up Festival, The Big Malarkey, Untold Hull, and more.
The images were presented as an installation constructed from over 200 cardboard boxes, printed by Garthwest Ltd – Hull’s globally renowned packaging company. The installation was on display in Hull’s Central Library and cafe between September and December 2017, and is currently forming smaller installations in libraries across the city.
“This retrospective from prolific photographer Jerome Whittingham, illustrates the wide variety of events that Hull Libraries have delivered, supported and produced over the past few years,” James Reckitt Library Trust.
2016/2017 - Contemporary Voices - Africans in Hull and East Yorkshire
Untold Hull, Hull City Library Service & William Wilberforce Monument Fund. Contributing to a wider Heritage Lottery Fund project. Audio recorded oral histories, accompanied by photo portraits.
I was commissioned to document the lives of 30 people of African descent, with connections to Hull and the East Riding up to 2007. The stories reflect aspects of participants’ lives relating to their origins and their more recent experiences within the region. The portraits and podcasts were presented in an exhibition at The History Centre, Hull, October 2017.
Website: African Stories in Hull and East Yorkshire
2015 - Moved - stories of poignant artistic experiences
Untold Stories, Hull City Library Service and Roots & Wings. Audio interviews and photo portraits.
Most people can pinpoint one experience of art - a piece of music, an image, a film, a fashion statement - that impacted upon their life, made them stop in their tracks and consider their situation. Art has an influence upon our lives, moving us, changing us, forming our identity, shaping the culture of our communities.
In this project I explored art's impact upon individuals in Hull, adding to the conversation ahead of Hull UK City of Culture 2017 about the value of the arts to communities, and revealing untold stories of how art has moved those who, in turn, influence the city.
2014 - Butterflies and Battlefields - conflict with dementia in the home
Special Commission - Humber Mouth Literature Festival. Ebook, photography and verbatim text, with Dave Windass contributor.
Public awareness of dementia is ever-growing, few people have not witnessed at least something of its effects. Yet, general understanding of dementia's impact upon families is poor. Stories of households' conflict with this illness are going untold.
Butterflies and Battlefields illustrated, in a very accessible way, 'What's happening?' as families respond to the conflict of dementia. I spent time with four families in their homes, photographing the impact dementia was having upon life and relationships. The ebook for this project was downloaded over 3,000 times.
Contact me anytime: hello@jeromew.news