The Our Hayes Our Heritage Project and Hyatt Place West London/Hayes are proud to present an exhibition of photographs taken in and around Hayes by local photographers in a free two-week public exhibition at Hyatt Place West London/Hayes, 4–17 June 2018.
There will be an evening reception and prize-giving on 8 June 2018, 6-8pm – both the exhibition and prize-giving are free and open to all, so please do come along, celebrate with us, meet the photographers and show your support for local artistic talent.
The exhibition includes a selection of images commissioned especially for the Our Hayes Our Heritage project taken by local professional photographer, Toby Van de Velde. Also on display are the three prize-winning entries from our photography competition, alongside the shortlisted entries and further works by burgeoning local talent.
First prize goes to Mark Collins for his evocative piece, ‘Industry’. “It really speaks to me of the area’s historical position in industry,” said competition judge, Toby Van de Velde. “In black and white it gives a grainy, well composed vision of the heart of Hayes’ working heritage.”
Second prize goes to Michael Gaga-Hale for his capture of the early morning commute. “It’s atmospheric lighting and silhouetting of modern day commuters coming and going to work from Hayes and Harlington Station juxtaposes against the first place image very well. A complimentary pair,” Toby explains.
Third prize goes to Annette Sissons for her atmospheric shot of Nipper. “EMI, and Nipper the dog, have such an important place in the history of Hayes,” said Toby. “The moody sky against the harsh industrial buildings with Nipper filling the foreground works well.”
The Our Hayes Our Heritage project is led by Uxbridge College and supported by A New Direction, Hillingdon Community Trust funded by Heathrow, Segro & Barratt London. The project utilises the industrial heritage of Hayes, with a focus on EMI, Nestle and the Grand Union Canal, as a springboard for local cultural activity. The project aims to enhance community cohesion, bringing together different groups and ages through the exploration of local heritage.
As part of the project, Toby facilitated two film photography workshops – one with Age UK Hillingdon and one with young carers from Hillingdon Carers at Hayes and Harlington’s Young People’s Centre – and also led a film photography walk from Botwell Green Library around Hayes Town, encouraging locals to use their cameras to pay attention to the town and see it with fresh eyes, documenting places and faces.
“As a Hayes resident for five years, and a Hillingdon Borough resident for 11 years, plus a photographer on the Uxbridge Gazette for 13 years, I know Hayes very well,” said Toby, speaking about his involvement in the project. “The opportunity to be involved in the Our Hayes Our Heritage Project was one that I was very pleased to be given.
“The wealth of diversity in Hayes, coupled with its history, makes it a fascinating area, and the chance to be involved in documenting its residents and scenery is one that I have very much enjoyed doing.
“The enthusiasm shown by the participants in the photography courses was amazing to witness, and the changing face of the area as I document the old and the newly developed side by side, shows that Hayes is a place that not only has history, but also has a future as well.
“The resultant exhibition and online resource that will come from the work I am involved in, will be a source of fascination and delight for generations to come, I am sure.”
Find out more about the Our Hayes Our Heritage Project, share your own photos and memories quoting #ourhayesourheritage and get involved:
Our thanks go to Hyatt Place West London/Hayes for hosting the exhibition. The Hyatt team also recently hosted work by local artist Komal Madar and Uxbridge College Art and Design students – it is wonderful to see a local business supporting arts and heritage and engaging with the local community in this way.