ELIZABETH GORDON - Dying to Drink: Born to Recover
CHANNEL 4’s Picture This Competition
Monday 21 January to Sunday 10 February 2008
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art presents an exhibition of work from Elizabeth Gordon, the winner of the Channel 4 television series Picture This. This unique competition offered photographers from all disciplines and backgrounds the opportunity to take part in the first broadcast digital photography competition of its kind. Photographs by Elizabeth Gordon will be exhibited on Level 5 from Monday 21 January 2008.
In Britain, a photo is taken every 10 seconds and 12 million of us own digital cameras. But what does it take to be a top photographer? In the first broadcasted digital photography competition, Channel 4 set out to find the very best, up and coming new digital photographers. Entrants were invited to submit their own snaps for consideration and from the thousands of hopefuls just six of the most talented were selected to take part and compete for the ultimate prize – an exhibition of their work at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead and a published book.
Over three episodes, viewers watched a panel of top industry experts made up of Photographer Martin Parr, Director of Photographer’s Gallery Brett Rogers and Gallery Owner Alex Proud, judge the work to see which one had what it takes to succeed as a professional. Each week the judges set the finalists a series of themed photographic assignments which they presented to the experts. The panel then decided on which images they felt were not quite strong enough, and select two photographers to leave the competition.
Within the concluding stages the two final contestants were set the challenge to produce a personal body of work set to their own brief. The exhibition at BALTIC consists of the powerful work produced by the winner Elizabeth Gordon from this assignment. The exhibition includes two series of work; the first reflecting her life as an alcoholic, rein-acting embellished scenes from her recent past while the second reflects on others who have similarly conquered their own personal problems with alcohol. She captures anonymous portraits of women’s feet, titled with the year they stopped drinking; a memorial and celebration of sobriety.
Elizabeth Gordon hails from Brighton and was introduced to photography in the last 3 years and has not completed any formal training. As a former alcoholic, her life has recently taken a dramatic turn partly due to her positive determination and passion for photography. This exhibition acts not only as a prize to a competition, but also marks the beginning of Elizabeth Gordon’s own personal journey as a photographer.
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art is very pleased to be hosting the winner’s debut exhibition. Alessandro Vincentelli, Acting Head of Programme at BALTIC explains: “BALTIC has a strong track record of helping emerging artists and therefore we are proud to be assisting Elzabeth Gordon develop her career. It is great that a national broadcaster such as Channel 4 has put time and resources into promoting photography as an art form and I am sure that many people who watch the series will enjoy seeing the winner’s exhibition.”
For further information regarding exhibitions at BALTIC please contact:
[email protected]
Opening hours: Mon - Sun 10.00 - 18.00
ADMISSION FREE
www.balticmill.com
Reader feedback:
Discuss this story:
