"Face to Face: Polar Portraits" brings together both rare, unpublished treasures from the historic collections of the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI), University of Cambridge, ‘face to face’ with cutting-edge modern imagery from expedition photographer Martin Hartley.
This stunning exhibition and publication will be shown for the first time in Ireland at the Athy Heritage Centre & Museum, Co. Kildare, in October at the official opening the 8th Shackleton Autumn School. Also enjoying its launch in Ireland is the unique book by Huw Lewis-Jones ahead of its official release date in England.
The exhibition opens on 24th October, and runs for four weeks before its international tour.
Showcasing images from 1845 to the present day, "Face to Face: Polar Portraits" features historic images that include the very first polar photographs, the first portraits of explorers, some of the earliest photographs of the Inuit, and rare images never before published from many of the Heroic-Age Antarctic expeditions. These extraordinary portraits are contrasted with an intriguing mix of modern images by Martin Hartley, who has captured men and women of many nations, exploring, working, and living in the Polar Regions today, whether they be one of the world’s greatest explorers, or a humble cook.
Almost all the historic imagery – daguerreotypes, magic lantern slides, glass plate negatives and images from private albums – that have been rediscovered during research for this project have never been before the public eye. In addition to 25 historic, and 25 modern polar portraits, the exhibition features a unique collection of historic photographic equipment, such as cameras owned by Captain Scott, Herbert Ponting, Sir Wally Herbert and Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
The remarkable book, inspired by the exhibition, includes a foreword written by respected adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes; a fascinating exploration into ‘photography then’ – the history of photography and its role in shaping our vision of the polar hero by historian and curator of art at SPRI, Dr Huw Lewis-Jones; a discussion between Dr Lewis-Jones and the photographer Martin Hartley about ‘photography now’, focusing on the essential role that photography plays in modern polar adventuring; and an afterword entitled ‘The Boundaries ofLight’ by the best-selling author Hugh Brody.
AUTHOR DR HUW LEWIS-JONES is a historian and Curator of Art at the Scott Polar Research Institute,
University of Cambridge. Formerly Visiting Fellow at Harvard University, and Curator of Imperial and Maritime History at the National Maritime Museum, London, Huw is also Research Curator of the FREEZE FRAME historic photography project and a consultant within media and broadcasting. He recently featured on the acclaimed documentary ‘Wilderness Explored’ shown on BBC Four.
PHOTOGRAPHER MARTIN HARTLEY specializes in documenting the most inaccessible parts of the planet. His commitment to capture the beauty of unadulterated landscapes and remote communities has taken him to some of the most isolated and challenging locations in the world. His work has been published in many major newspapers and magazines, including The Times, National Geographic. He has worked on 17 different polar expeditions.
Dr Huw Lewis-Jones and Kari Herbert, daughter of Sir Wally Herbert and publisher of this book, are both available for interview.
CONTACT PERSON:
Margaret Walsh
Manager
Athy Heritage Centre-Museum
Emily Square
Athy
Co. Kildare
Phone:- 00353 (0)598633075
Fax:- 00353 (0)598633076
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