New photo exhibition in former Chester fashion store explores modern life in Britain

Words and photos: Paul Crofts

Having visited Chester Visual Arts pre-pandemic exhibitions, including those curated in the old Chester Library on Northgate Street (now Coachworks Arcade), I was absolutely delighted to receive an invitation from We Are Chester founder and editor Angela Ferguson to attend the preview evening for their latest exhibition which is being staged in the vacant H&M store in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre.

Launched in 2016, local art charity, Chester Visual Arts set a clear vision to bring world-class art to Chester, positioning the city and wider region as a leading cultural destination, creating a better place to live, work and visit. This exhibition is the 5th show that CVA has brought to the city, which has provided refreshing art and discussions to the public and attracted over 50k visitors to date.

This new free to enter exhibition entitled How did we get here? /where do we go now? showcases the work of acclaimed photographer Simon Roberts. Running from from 19 May until 30 June, the exhibition is supported and funded by Arts Council England. Roberts is well known for his breathtaking tableaux images of the British landscape with a unique perspective on modern life in Britain, reflecting both the lure and challenges of living in a rapidly changing society and this new exhibition is no exception.

From fascinating images of the seemingly mundane everyday life on the streets of Britain to the battle for Brexit, the trials of life during lockdown and political protest, Simon Roberts’s work captures the life of the UK spanning the last 15 years.

What struck me was the level of detail in each photograph, each one telling its own unique story. From deprived sink estates to the bleakness of a typical seaside resort out of season, festival goers, elections and crowds at the races, Roberts has captured some really powerful, thought-provoking images. Spending time, taking in each image, seeing the details you may otherwise miss is the key to really appreciating and understanding the work on display here.

There is certainly a lot of social comment in his work and Simon has also spent time collecting discarded placards, banners and posters from various demonstrations and protest marches over the years. When artfully displayed in the exhibition space, to me, it is they that tell the story of our recent political and social history. Indeed, some of the banners and placards from more than 10 years ago could have been used by striking public sector workers as recently as this month.

One of the “must see” highlights of the exhibition is hidden away (almost certainly deliberately) in the basement of the former fashion store. A trip down the stairs will lead you in the eerily chilly space of the basement where life-size images of sculptures which had been draped in protective plastic sheeting during lockdown give one the feeling of actually being in a sculpture gallery.

Keen to learn more about the exhibition first hand, I was lucky enough to get to speak to Simon Roberts and having him point out all the hidden meaning and detail in one particularly striking image was absolutely fascinating. Simon’s passion for documenting our social history shines through and it was incredible to learn that he shuns modern camera equipment for an old-style single plate camera.

The exhibition offers a unique opportunity for locals and visitors alike to experience art in a space outside the typical museum or gallery setting.

Set in two parts, the first, ‘How did we get here’, gives visitors the opportunity to explore the current state of Britain and the society we live whilst presenting the opportunity for the public to contribute to the exhibition via the second part ‘Where do we go now’.

The latter will allow visitors to participate in a series of workshops and open sessions where they will be given a unique opportunity to respond creatively to the current social climate, culminating in a new artwork (The Public Gallery), that will develop over the course of the exhibition.

Chester Visual Arts’s aim for the exhibition is that together, the two distinct elements will act as a catalyst for open discussion about the function of the British high street as the future use of urban spaces is increasingly debated.

I think it’s safe to say that I’ll be back to take another look at this striking slice of British life as captured through Simon’s lense. Congratulations to Chester Visual Arts for bringing yet another vibrant and thought-provoking exhibition to Chester city centre.

Paul Crofts – May 2023.