‘I’m very excited about seeing the reaction from our visitors as they experience it’
A new photography exhibition is launching this weekend (Saturday, October 31). Goole in Focus, features a series of images by local photographer, Syd Young.
Commissioned by East Riding Museums, the photographer has taken 200 contemporary photographs which capture the unique culture, sense of place and spirit of Goole as people celebrate the town’s bicentennial milestone. The photographs were taken over a three-year period and capture different aspects of Goole in varying light and weather conditions.
Many of the images will be instantly recognisable, others reveal some of the town’s fine detail, including elements of the past which might easily escape the eye. The people of Goole feature in many of the images, photographed as they took part in everyday activities, sports and events, including those which were part of the bicentennial celebrations.
‘Goole in Focus’ will feature projected images in the gallery along with an immersive soundscape which features everyday sounds of the town, recorded over the last few months. The soundtrack, created by Syd, also features “Ebb and Flow”, an aural depiction of the swirling tides of the river Ouse, which brought prosperity to Goole as a new town 200 years ago.
Councillor Nick Coultish, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire, said: ‘’This unique exhibition features fascinating photography that brings together the very best of Goole. Using captivating imagery and a carefully crafted supporting soundscape, ‘Goole in Focus’ explores people and place, showing what makes our town such a special place to live.’’
Syd said: “This is the most ambitious project I’ve worked on. To capture the town in the here and now and present it to the very people who see it every day has been quite a challenge. The complete audio-visual display is a first for the gallery and I’m very excited about seeing the reaction from our visitors as they experience it.”
He continued: “I’ve been taking photographs since the age of nine. Over the years my photography has encompassed a wide range of subjects. There were two things I wanted to achieve with the “Goole in Focus” exhibition. The first was to portray the town of Goole in as many different ways as possible: Different lighting, weather, seasons and events. I wanted to capture elements of the past, but also the here and now. The images are actually taken over a three year period, starting in October 2023 and finishing towards the end of 2026.
“The second aim was to show aspects of the town people might not have noticed or considered. Often we don’t take the time to look closely at the fine detail of the towns and cities we live in. As a photographer and artist I’m particularly interested in light, which has always played an important part in my photography. Many of the images were taken because of the way subjects were affected by light and shadow.”
The public are invited to attend the ‘Goole in Focus’ opening event at Goole Museum. This will take place on Saturday, 31 October, 10am to 12pm.