Over The Hill
A Photographic Journey
A photographic installation was announced today by The Lightbox gallery in Woking. Tim Andrews was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2005 at the age of 54 and this photographic digital installation documents his journey through the period of his life when, in his own words, he “just happens to have” this degenerative illness. Over the last three years, Tim has been photographed by over 100 top photographers including such luminaries as Rankin, Jillian Edelstein, Karen Knorr, Steve Bloom, Danielle Tunstall, Mike McCartney and Harry Borden. This fascinating and compelling exhibition runs from 1 February to 11 March 2011 at The Lightbox gallery and museum.
In May 2007, Andrews answered an advertisement in “Time Out” by well-known commercial photographer, Graeme Montgomery, who was seeking subjects for his book of Real Nudes. During the following few weeks, Tim replied to further advertisements from photographers requesting people to sit for portrait photography.
In 2008, student photographer, Daisy Lang, advertised in a local paper for people with illnesses willing to be photographed for her final year’s exhibition. It was at that time Tim Andrews became aware of many more photographers looking for models and he wrote to the first saying the he wished to continue on his path of being photographed by different people during the course of his illness. He realised then that he now had a project of his own.
Some photographers have been inspired by the fact of Andrews’ illness whilst others have invited Tim to take part in their own projects or have chosen to examine the character of the man. “It has been a fascinating journey” says Tim, “I have always loved photography but never had the patience or skill to be successful at it myself. Being a model has enabled me to collaborate with brilliant practitioners of the art - many of whom I would never have met, let alone spend time with - and to be part of the artistic photographic process".
The title of the exhibition is inspired by a track on an album by John Lennon. At the beginning of the song Bring on Lucie (Freda Peeple), Lennon announces to his band, “All right boys, this is it, over the hill”. As Andrews says, “Although the phrase ‘over the hill’ has negative connotations, the song is sung by Lennon in a very positive way. ‘Free the people/Do it, do it, do it, do it now’. So, for me, the title of the exhibition is optimistic despite the double meaning.”
Contacts
For all press enquiries and high resolution images please contact Becky Bristow, email: becky.bristow@thelightbox.org.uk, telephone: 01483 737810
Notes to Editors
The Lightbox gallery and museum won The Art Fund Prize 2008 for museums and galleries
Exhibition entry is free. For further information please call 01483 737800 or visit www.thelightbox.org.uk.
As part of the project Tim Andrews is raising money for Parkinson's UK, donations can be given via www.justgiving.com/Tim-Andrews2-OvertheHill
Ways of Seeing an exhibition which juxtaposes new artworks by people with mental health problems with – and in direct response to - major 20th Century art (Moore, Frink and others from The Ingram Collection at The Lightbox) runs from 15 January until 13 March 2011.