Photography students from Carlisle are exhibiting their talents in a new exhibition at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake.
The ‘Theatre of Light’ exhibition features the work of second year photography students from the University of Cumbria as they explore the transformational potential of light, inspired by the theatre itself.
The resulting images see ordinary locations become theatrical backdrops for unlikely events. Such as a girl wearing a coat reminiscent of a bio-hazard suit, inspecting an eerily lit-up suitcase in a church. To a model sitting in a car with neon lights reflected on rain-streaked windows.
The students hope that the images tread a fine-line between fact and fiction, the everyday and the uncanny, challenging the viewer to question what they are seeing.
Zoe Lyons, 37, originally from Dumfries, whose work features in the exhibition was delighted to take part:
“I am so pleased to have the opportunity to exhibit at Theatre by the Lake, which is such a beautiful and inspiring place.
“I loved creating theatrics in my own image and I hope visitors enjoy our class exhibition.”
Theatre by the Lake has an illuminating past from its origins as a travelling theatre, known as the ‘blue box’, in the 40 and 50s due to the colour of its painted exterior.
When the box was no longer fit to travel, a campaign was launched in the 70s to fundraise for a permanent theatre on the Lakeside carpark site in Keswick.
However, it took almost another 30 years before the new purpose-built theatre opened its doors on 19 August 1999. And it’s the building now that has inspired the students’ show.
“The students made the work in response to the theatre, exploring how light can tell a story, transforming a scene into something dramatic and surprising”, commented the students’ photography lecturer, Alice Myers.
She continued: “The range of approaches on show is testament to our photography programme’s emphasis on nurturing individual creativity and expression. We are grateful to the theatre for providing this exciting opportunity for Cumbria’s emerging photographic talent.”
The ‘Theatre of Light’ exhibition is located in the circle gallery at the theatre and runs until 4 March.
To find out more about a photography degree see the university’s website.
