Paul Glazier - Island
Museum nan Eilean (Uist & Barra)
Sgoil Lionacleit, Isle of Benbecula, HS7 5PJ
Paul Glazier grew up in London and went to Goldsmiths College of London University for his degree in Fine Art, graduating in 1987. It was there that he first printed his photographs taken on Vatersay, the most southerly inhabited island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. By that time he already had a strong relationship with the island since he had been going there regularly from 1978. This relationship has continued and will indeed continue to do so. This selection is taken from different periods ranging from the 80's until the present day.
Returning to the island as often as he can, he captures the changing faces as time leaves its mark. Some of the children in the original photographs now have their own children and even grandchildren, and parents have become great grandparents. The images reflect both the continuity and the changes that have occurred in this community over the past three decades. The heart of the project are the portraits, but the presence of the rugged Hebridean landscape is never far away.
Hoping to be able to chronicle the island for many years to come, Glazier is slowly building a unique document of this small community.
This exhibition was produced by Street Level Photoworks and is a partnership with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Museum nan Eilean. Interpretation panel and captions at the exhibition are in English and Gaelic.
Running alongside this is an exhibition at Vatersay Community Hall, 'Urram don Eilean | Island - Tribute' which consists of ten portraits by Glazier commemorating some of the people that the island has lost in the past few years.
A 'Photography on Screen' video is also being shown on Scotland's mobile cinema, The Screen Machine. Please note it is being screened before the main feature 'Rockerman' in those various locations.
An interview with Paul in 2014 on the Vatersay project appears on the Document Scotland website here.
This exhibition features as part of FLOW Photofest and the 2019 Season of Photography which takes place between September and November.
To view the other exhibitions and events taking place across the country, or to add your event to the Season, see here