Ferry Folk is the result of a 9 month residency with the Mersey Ferries. I was invited to create a new body of artwork that captures a contemporary view of the Mersey Ferry view whilst still reflecting its rich past. The project was commissioned in partnership with Merseytravel, Museum of Liverpool, Open Eye Gallery and supported by Grants for the Arts, Arts Council England.
Working closely with the Mersey Ferries staff, commuters and daily tourists, I created opportunities for individual’s stories and memories of the ferry to be shared.
I met with many ferry goers during the Summer peak of my ferry river explorer trips, some very local and others from around the globe. With a fleeting chance to meet and find out more about each visitor, follow up conversations via letters, email and social media or in person with local residents, I was able continue a dialogue in more depth. A photographic series of portraits, conversations and accompanying map work are exhibited on the exterior of Open Eye Gallery’s building to reflect these dialogues and include two stories by local social history group, the Digital Ambassadors. An additional series of audioscapes were installed at the entrance to Open Eye Gallery. And more images and photo stories created can be viewed on the digital platform.
Through collaboration and consultation with those involved, and working with fabricators M3 Industries, a second body of work, the Ferry Folk Pier Head Viewfinder, was produced to sit within Museum of Liverpool's The People's Republic Gallery from 11 January until 25 March 2018.
A series of images are presented on viewfinder slides for people to interact with and choose which of the Ferry Folk they'd like to meet next.
Thanks to fellow photographer Robert Battersby for his installation shots of the opening event and Wild Ilk on collaborating on the Map design.
