UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 08 JULY 2020
BA (Hons) Photography graduate Herbert Walters was recently commissioned by Multistory to contribute to their ‘Stories in Isolation’ digital programme.
Multistory is a community arts charity that documents life in Sandwell and the Black Country through a contemporary body of photographic work, films, oral histories and an online digital archive. The charity works in collaboration with acclaimed photographers, writers and local people to tell their stories of everyday life, and Stories in Isolation was put together as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Local artists were encouraged to create photography, poetry and film that responded to the situation. Herbert used this opportunity to create ‘Where People Once Gathered’, a series of photographs that documented empty spaces around Birmingham. The photos were taken during lockdown in March and April 2020 and involved Herbert waking up at 4am to venture into the city on foot. He photographed buildings, parks, roads and New Street Station, capturing the eerie quietness and abandonment of a city at standstill through black and white images.
Speaking about his project, Herbert noted that he’d never seen Birmingham so empty and how unique of an experience it was to have seen the city that way. He added that his images were inspired by Thomas Struth, who had taken similar photographs of New York City in the 60s.
After completing his degree at BCU, Herbert was given the opportunity to work as an Artist in Residence at the University where he mentored undergraduate students. This experience gave him the chance to create a body of work without the pressure of exams and experiment with his photography skills in the studios on campus. Reflecting on this period, Herbert said:
“I loved my time at BCU. Though I’d completed a HND, I knew a degree would help give me status and get people more interested in my work. The course and my Artist in Residence experience really helped improve my photography and opened up a number of opportunities.”
In addition to his involvement with Multistory, Herbert now gives talks to students at Sandwell and Dudley College. He recently presented his exhibition ‘Vision of Moments’ at the Medicine Bakery and Gallery and has shown his work at Heart Break Gallery, New York; SOAS University, London; Midlands Arts Centre; and The Drum Arts Centre, Birmingham.
Commenting on Herbert’s achievement, the Head of Birmingham Institute of Creative Arts, Nathan Tromans, said:
“I didn’t teach Herbert, but got to know him well, which is a testament to his communication skills, which are crucial in the world of reportage and documentary photography. The course has had a good track record with students who pursue documentary photography, so he continues and contributes to that success.”
Image credit: Herbert Walters