Mandy Barker Exhibition
Name- Robyn Turner
Class – 2A
Date- Thursday 2nd September
Location of Exhibition- Street level Photoworks, Glasgow
Name of exhibition- “Our Plastic Ocean”
How does the flyer/Poster advertise the exhibition?
They have kept a simple, minimalistic approach to advertise. The minimalist approach of posters/ flyers allows Mandy’s work to speak for itself, meaning the person viewing the posters can see the important message behind the Photographs without being distracted. Mandy has made it to what you see in the posters are the exhibition itself.
What is the suitability of the gallery space? How is the exhibition laid out?
With large plain white walls to make Mandy’s both simplistic and busy work stand out. Her work has also been grouped together to follow the different concepts and groups within the collection.
How has the work been mounted? Is this appropriate for the work?
All of Mandy’s work has either been framed behind glass or mounted to bare walls raised. This is appropriate as it supports what Mandy’s work is about.
Who Made the work?
The work was made by an English photographer Mandy Barker, she has been making this work for over a decade. Mandy’s exhibition has 4 different projects all within the same theme of pollution that’s caused by plastic.
Who did they make it for, who is the target audience?
It was made for everyone as everyone is the cause of the major issue. This allows everyone to see the damage they are causing and want to make a difference to change the outcome as it will only get worse.
How does it make you feel?
Sad and guilty as I didn’t realise the true extent of how problem is as you are only ever told how bad it is no one has showed the true extend of this as it is in middle of ocean and its not somewhere you can just go to see the damage. I feel sad and irresponsible that I have fallen into the image that if I can’t see it its not there.
If the image has a title does it make you think about the images differently?
One of her projects she named ‘beyond drifting’ had the most impact on me as it shows its just not one bit of plastic that’s polluting the water its now an entire location the plastic is being left at.
How would you describe it to someone later?
Insightful, educational, an eye opener. Worth going to see it for themselves to be able to truly process it themselves.
Does the photograph make you ask questions, what are some of these questions?
Why aren’t large companies reducing this?
Why is plastic still in almost everything?
Why is nothing nig been done to tackle this issue?
Is the photograph valuable? How do you know?
I think all Mandy’s images are valuable as it allows us to see the massive issue plastic is causing and the fact that it’s only going to get worse. Not very often do you see what’s more than a pay check for some photographers. Mandy’s showing more than her work but the true impact plastic is having in our world.
Is the work for sale and who might buy it?
Yes, it is for sale. The work is mainly bought and shown by curators for galleries and museums.
What information is available about the artist?
When arriving at the exhibition we were told a bit about the artist and her work. There is also more information you can find on her on the street level photoworks website.
Who organised the exhibition and who selected the work?
Malcom Dickson is the Gallery Director and Angela Sheard collected the collection of pieces.
