A HIGH PLACE BESIDE THE WATER
In 2014 I was commissioned by Metro operators Nexus to create 15 panels of photographic digital artwork for Hebburn Metro Station. I called it 'A High Place beside the Water'. The finished work was installed over both station platforms in the October of that year.
Inspired by the history of Hebburn, this project was part of the £389m modernisation of the metro transport system.I worked with the Jarrow and Hebburn Local History Society.
Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn unveiled the artwork, saying “A big thanks must go to the local history society and Karen for such a brilliant job in keeping the town alive.”
Nexus head of communication Huw Lewis said: “This is a fantastic project, reflecting real pride in the town.” I also wrote a song for the project which you can hear by visiting the link below
THE STORY OF A LIBRARY - 2014
A project documenting in photographic form South Shields Central Library in 2014, before its closure and replacement by the new 'The Word' building. Images were exhibited at the Central Library between November and December.
HAME MY DURHAM - 2016
I was delighted to collaborate with Michael Chaplin, a distinguished local playwright, screenwriter and non-fiction writer on his latest book called Hame, My Durham, which was published by Mayfly Press in September 2016. Michael edited and lovingly compiled a selection of his father's works and added notes of his own, creating the book to celebrate Sid Chaplin, one of the North East's most distinguished and well-loved writers.
Michael invited me to provide a photographic pictorial essay of our travels through the pit villages of Durham as we walked together visiting the places of Sid's early life and writing career.
It has to be one of the most fun and rewarding projects I've ever worked on, in a so-good-for-the-soul kind of way, due to my being given the opportunity to get creative in some of the most beautiful landscapes we have in this area, and being blessed with having the very best of fellow explorers and my good friend and mentor Michael, by my side.
There are sweeping landscapes and portraits of the folks we met along the way, and horses...lots of horses.
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