Paul Raftery is a London-based Architectural Photographer whose latest exhibition at Anise Gallery is the culmination of him documenting sites across Europe that have seen uprisings and protests, sites where a desire for democracy and basic human rights manifested itself and the people stepped up to demand change and an end to communism.
By coincidence or not, each of the countries depicted in New Dawn For Europe consequently became an EU member, thereby wrapping themselves in a metaphorical security blanket once they had escaped the yoke of dictatorship. Of course, Raftery did not realise how significant his photos would be right now as Putin threatens a nuclear Armageddon.
Photographed over the past three years, the huge images show places of peaceful calm. All taken at dawn, with clear blue skies as the backdrop, they belie the horror and danger and bravery that once took place as citizens said enough is enough and took to the streets. And, for me, that is the reality that was lacking. I wanted to see those protests in a ‘before and after’ way.
There were barcodes you could scan to read up on the past events but I prefer my photography exhibitions not to be dependent on having a phone and wifi connection. A minor quibble.
The huge photographs worked well in the deconsecrated Zion Chapel where Anise have brought a different kind of work to this industrial hinterland of Forest Hill. The time of the day when the images were taken gives them a silence, a serenity that is reflected in the chapel’s architecture, which itself looks slightly bomb-scarred.
On the opening night cellist Orlando Jopling performed Sarabande from Bach’s Second Suite, the music played at the Berlin Wall as it came down by cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, a Russian exile who made his way to Berlin to show his support in the best way he could. The music and Raftery’s images made for a contemplative exhibition.
Events Programme
Friday 21 October, 6 – 9pm: Late opening with DJ Saturday
22 October, 6 – 8.30pm: Paul Raftery in conversation with Joe Robson & guest speaker
Further details and full exhibition programme available at www.anise.gallery
Anise Gallery, The Old Chapel, 27-33 Malham Road, London, SE23 1AH until 22 October. Times: 12 – 5pm Friday – Sunday and by appointment
0208 858 3226
