10 year old Jordan Barry exhibits at Beyond the Image Photographers' Gallery



Jordan came to our September photo-shoot day at the gallery. It was the second one he had been on and he told me that the photos he had taken on the previous shoot in May had inspired him to do some artwork. 
We have been running photo-shoots at Beyond he Image for five years and this was the first time anyone had said that to me and I thought "Wow - this is great. One art form leads to another. Wouldn't it be interesting to have his photography inspired art and his photographs on show in the gallery at the same time." ......So I offered Jordan a small exhibition wall and his face lit up!

Every January we begin our gallery exhibition programme by showing photographs taken on the previous year's photo-shoots. For many of the exhibitors this is a first time opportunity to produce prints to exhibit and to be in the public eye. Jordan came into that category and he has three photographic images of his choice in the January 2011 exhibition 'FIFTH'.



In addition he was given his art exhibition wall and went through all the thought processes of deciding what to show, how it would be presented, how it would be hung and what labelling would be required. The resulting exhibition piece is testament to his artistic and presentation skills. On being offered an extra flat surface for further display Jordan decided to show his early drawings so that the viewer could follow his 'journey' from photograph to pencil drawing to exhibited pastels of 'Through The Eyes of an Animal'. As a gallery we offered Jordan the chance to practice his photography and because of his ability and enthusiasm, the opportunity to show his artwork. In recent weeks he has gone through valuable thought processes which have resulted in a well presented exhibition of his work. What he has learnt will give him confidence to exhibit again and who knows where his future lies? 

In February we are exhibiting photography by students from Hartismere School and in March we are showing artwork by a talented 13 year old. We also have a children's creative area in the gallery where young people can respond to the exhibited work on the walls. Young people are free in their approach to art and we value their contribution to the variety of work we have on display at Beyond the Image.