Categories: uncategorized
Date: 08 August 2012 10:17:20
Kings Place is a cultural hub in a building shared with the Guardian and Observer newspaper offices. Their gallery currently has an exhibition: "IN THE MOMENT: THE SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY OF TOM JENKINS" which unsurprisingly contains sports photographs by Tom Jenkins, (who has worked at the Guardian since 1990). The exhibition does contain great and at times intimate photos of a variety of sports stars who are instantly recognisable and at times iconic. However, the pictures of Dame Kelly Holmes, Michael Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson and Paula Radcliffe et al provide the background the more interesting shots which provide a visual representation of the social aspect of football. The most moving photo for me was a black and white shot of the Kop empty after the last game before it was demolished and replaced with seating. The ground is littered with debris and odd scarves are tied to the small railings which dotted the stands. Somehow that empty shot was full of ghosts and history - empty as it was. If ever you wanted something that would sum up the word poignant that was it. On a similar theme was a sea of red and blue flags held aloft during the minutes silence which took place before the City/United game at Old Trafford commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Munich Air Crash. The shot of Stoke fans invading the pitch after their team had won promotion to the Premiership in 2008 showed the emotions that overflow in celebration. This was contrasted by the shot of a riot in France on the eve of the '98 World Cup campaign where English fans were fleeing tear gas. Within this latter picture all were running away apart from one young man whose clothing and demeanor shook me for a moment. The young man standing there in his Liam Gallagher style hat and glasses was wearing an Ipswich Town away shirt of the time. He looked as if he had somehow been transported from standing in North Stand to his place in this picture - the same pose that I'd seen over the years at Portman Road maintained in the mist of a very different situation. I didn't know the individual, (as far as I know), but I knew the shirt and I have known so many versions of him over the years it sent a shiver down my spine. It was one of those times when art connected deeply with my being. The happiest and brightest exhibit for me was a picture of children playing football in a dirt field in South Africa on the eve of the 2010 World Cup. Within the mist of their obvious poverty there was the simple joy of participating in sport being shown - beautiful. The exhibition is on 9am - 7pm until 24th August.