Michael Collins – The Long Look

6 August - 20 September 2008

In February 2008 the Brickworks site at Stewartby, Bedford, closed for redevelopment. The site was significant to many people in Bedford; it was the primary motivation for the post war inward migration to the town, it provided essential employment during the building boom of the 1950s and more recently it is a site that has captivated artists. One such artist was photographer Michael Colllins.
Michael makes ‘Record Picture’ photographs, highly detailed representations of a scene. Although no people feature in Michael's images, for him, the images made at Stewartby paid homage to the former Brickworkers and the historical significance of the site. Former workers attended the exhibition and commented how it offered them an opportunity to reminisce and say farewell to their fond place of work.
In conjunction with the exhibition BCA managed to get in touch with George Thompson, former photographer at the Brickworks. George hosted a series of afternoon talks with tea and cake using his collection of photographs to evoke memories of days gone by.

Visitor figures: 1294

“I have always found industrial landscapes fascinating. They have a beauty all of their own!”
“An excellent exhibition! Brings back lots of memories of childhoods spent in Stewartby.”