Some days are just gold, aren’t they?
I finally ticked something off my list that I’ve been meaning to do for ages, a visit to the Photographers' Gallery in Soho. And not only did I go, I went with a couple of my best mates, which just made the whole experience 100 times better. (Art + friends = peak serotonin levels.)
If you’ve never been, let me just say: go. Seriously. Clear a few hours, grab a coffee nearby and immerse yourself in one of London’s little pockets of magic. The gallery was buzzing with energy and creativity. There were a bunch of exhibitions on, but the one that completely stole my heart was by Peter Mitchell, Nothing Lasts Forever.
© Peter Mitchell
This was a stunning collection of colour photography taken in the 1970s, all set around the north of England. And let me tell you, these photos were like stepping into a beautifully faded time machine. There’s something so honest and raw about his work; it’s like he caught history mid-sentence. We spent ages in that room just soaking it all in. It was nostalgic without trying to be and totally captivating.
There was also a brilliant selection of work from photographers shortlisted for a foundation prize.
© Lindokuhle Sobekwa
One that really stayed with me was I Carry Her Photo With Me by Lindokuhle Sobekwa, a South African photographer whose work absolutely broke and filled my heart at the same time. It tells the story of their missing sister, and honestly, I’m not sure I can put into words how moving it was. The photographs were such a powerful portrait of their life in South Africa; of poverty, of memory, of loss and of the strength it takes to try and piece things together again. Every image felt like a quiet act of love and resistance. Just… wow. I’m still thinking about it.
And here's the thing; days like this are so good for the soul. There’s something about being in a space filled with creativity, with stories frozen in frames, with other people wandering around whispering ooh and wow under their breath. It wakes something up in you.
I’ve always loved photography, but being in that gallery reminded me why. It’s not just about capturing an image, it’s about showing the world how you see it. And that’s pretty special, isn’t it?
So here’s your little nudge from me: go to a gallery. Pick a random one. Or head to The Photographers' Gallery if you’re in London. Let yourself get lost in the weird, the beautiful, the thought-provoking. Take your mates. Or go solo. Either way, immerse yourself in some art. It’ll fire up your creativity in ways you don’t even realise until you’re halfway home and your brain’s buzzing with ideas.
Art is good for the heart.
Lucy & the TSY Team
