My Statement

THE NORTHERN QUARTER, MANCHESTER

The Northern Quarter is an area in Manchester full of artistic talent and people. From my first visit, I was completely enthralled by the bohemian, arty vibe, so I wanted to advertise this area, not just to fellow arty folk, but to anyone in general who was open to a more vibrant, energetic area.

This maybe a generalisation, but I feel more people go to the globalised section of Manchester like Market Street where all the major shops are but perhaps this is why the area is unique.  Perhaps the fact that you have to stumble upon it, adds to its impact. If you want a different, more fulfilling experience where there are not just shops, but art and culture, then the Northern Quarter is the place to go and be seen.

The photographs I chose represent the kind of businesses you would find in the Northern Quarter. Although the buildings may look ‘rustic’ when you look at my shots, I feel they display a contemporary ethos of our time, therefore combining a mix of old and new. It is almost like the Northern Quarter is holding on to the past skeleton of the architecture, but at the same time, embracing the future.  As graffiti plays a major role in adding to the atmosphere in the quarter, I decided to focus on this and the shop fronts of the businesses within the quarter. If I had taken portraits of people, it would perhaps distract you from the place itself and my intention was to let the place speak for itself.

The three main photographs, depicting modern images, in traditional style frames combine the old and new thereby capturing the culture of the quarter.  For example, the one showing the use of bicycles as the form of transport used, adds to the vintage feel of the area whilst adding a contemporary slant to it – old fashioned transport linking with modern concepts/environmental issues. 

I produced a blog in order to attract a wider audience as, in this technological era, the internet is the most accessible and powerful source of information.  By publishing my blog, it is my intention to introduce the Northern Quarter to a world-wide audience. Statistics show that people as far as Hong-Kong have already accessed it. This proves it works better than a sketchbook, because anyone can look at it and hopefully from seeing my photographs and opinion about the place, they will go there!

RUTH WARMAN