The bay of Tramore was as white and grey as some of the fine photography by Sandra Thompson on exhibition at the Coastguard Station, Tramore. This retrospective of architectural, industrial, fashion and photojournalism – My Camera Lens – Reflected has a nostalgic tinge as well as a cold clear and detailed take on building styles over more than forty years. The slabs and geometrics of newer churches like the Sacred Heart, in the Folly, contrasts with the traditional altar at the end of the building style long favoured in Ireland. Strangely the old style seemed more warm, ,ore inviting, more personal.
A detailed study, of the demolition of the tiled piggery cellar walls, at Dennys, was historic in contrast to the straight line and straight edges of the new Hypermarket.
It was obvious that Sandra Thompson had a chequered life as a photographer in sixties London with great modelling shots with Mary Quant hairstyles. In the same period the demolition of an area in marble Arch for regeneration tells a familiar tale of progress.
Shots of the early showrooms at Waterford Crystal take on a much sadder nostalgia at this time.
I loved the technical industrial shots of gadgets and gizmos at Brunel Engineering and the gas pipeline shots from Algeria.
The strong human concern and care is very evident in a series of studies from Granada in Spain and there is a compelling mix of imagery of beauty and poverty.
Two art images caught my eye. One, a study of a box and book of matches and a rim; the other, a shot of primitive sculpture from Estonia.
The exhibition runs until 30th Jan everyday, except Saturday.
