Bradford Impressions Gallery 10th December- 8th March 2014
The exhibition at the Impressions Gallery is the first major retrospective of Reas' work, spanning a 40 year career as one of the leading British documentary photographers. What is so successful about this exhibition is that there is a true sense of development and evolution in such a large collection moving into colour and the digital era. This makes it impossible for the viewer not to have an opinion on their favourite collection of his work.
Personally, while he successfully captures the tension of the recession, 'class, consumption and work' through his most recent pieces, I couldn't help but be drawn back to his black and white photography from the 70's and 80's. While in today's world Reas still has a place in the documentary scene, the subject of his images has changed as our country has moved on from its traditional industries. While capturing a real sense of community, personality and humour through his 'working men' series, moving into colour seems to lose the focus of the real image. While still humorous, particularly throughout the 1980's, as the issues have become more serious and as the working situation has changed, his work has reflected the different atmosphere of the country; as documentary photography is supposed to create a realistic image of the current climate. So while being successful, as viewer perhaps the most enjoyment comes from looking back into our country's past and drawing our minds to a time less culturally and politically troublesome.
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