Three talented students studying the BA (Hons) Photography and Social Practice course at UCEN Manchester, which is run in partnership with Open Eye Gallery, created a unique gallery space for passengers traveling through Manchester Victoria station as part of their Photography in Place module.
Adam Tellouche, Hollie Whelan and Scarlett Peet, who are all in the second year of their course, collaborated to deliver an innovative exhibition titled ‘Red Grey Blue’, which will be on display on temporary hoardings until March 2025.The Photography in Place module required the students to develop site-specific work outside traditional gallery settings.
With an average of 173,000 passengers passing through the station weekly, Adam, Hollie and Scarlett identified Manchester Victoria station as the perfect venue, curating their exhibition around a journey across Manchester from Old Trafford to the Etihad Stadium.The students embraced hybrid techniques to bring their vision to life, experimenting with chemigrams, analogue and digital photography, and image layering. They also researched Manchester libraries’ photography archive to bring their ideas to life.
Stephanie Wynne works for Open Eye Gallery as a professional Photographer and combines this role with teaching at UCEN Manchester as part of the unique partnership between the gallery and higher education provider. Speaking about the exhibition, Stephanie said: “The access the students had to photographers, curators and other support staff and facilities at Open Eye Gallery throughout the project proved invaluable and really helped them to research, plan and install their very first public exhibition.”
Each individual played a different role in the creation of Red Grey Blue. Scarlett examined how the iconic red of Old Trafford reflects across the surrounding environment, while Adam explored interactions between people and places within the rapidly changing city centre, and Hollie uncovered the history of Manchester’s coalfield buried beneath the Etihad Stadium.
Alexandra Jackson, Head of School for Art, Media & Make-Up at UCEN Manchester, commended the students for their creativity and professionalism: “I’d like to thank the staff at Manchester Victoria station for facilitating this project and Accrington and Hyndburn Council for providing the funding for the materials that our students needed to make their vision a reality.
“This project has been a remarkable opportunity for our students to produce, plan and prepare work for public display. They’ve faced real-world challenges, including content development, material selection, and health and safety considerations, and have risen to the occasion brilliantly. We couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Adam added: “Getting our work in a space of such prominence as Manchester Victoria station, is pretty good going for a second year interim show!
“A fun and engaging course requirement, but at the same time, rooted in real world experience.”
The Red Grey Blue exhibition not only highlights the students’ exceptional talent but also demonstrates UCEN Manchester’s commitment to providing hands-on, real-world opportunities that prepare students for future success.
Learn more about UCEN Manchester’s School for Art, Media & Make-up and find out how to apply. Find out more about Open Eye Gallery’s BA course at UCEN.
News, Exhibitions, Opportunities and more.