Fay Godwin: Under a turbulent sky
9 September - 28 October 2023
Under a turbulent sky is an exhibition of prints by Fay Godwin, one of the most respected and significant British photographers of the 20th century. Zelda Cheatle, gallery owner and friend of Fay Godwin, describes her as having been ‘an independent, intelligent and courageous photographer’ and Roger Taylor, in his essay for the retrospective publication Landmarks (2002), referred to her ‘mastery of the elusive grammar of greys.’
This exhibition represents a selection from what photo-historian Ian Jeffrey has described as a unique photographic survey of the landscape of Britain, carried out by Fay Godwin for exhibitions and books between 1972 – 1994 and particularly celebrates her pioneering attention to environmental issues.
Today, as landscape continues to be a subject photographers turn to when contemplating the ways we relate to where we live and the impact humans have on the land, Fay Godwin’s work continues to influence.
In 2016, Peter Cattrell, landscape photographer, teacher and fine printer, who printed for Fay Godwin’s books and exhibitions throughout the 1980s, made eighteen new Fay Godwin prints from the original negatives held in The British Library archive. These were first shown in 2017 at MoMA Machynlleth, in mid-Wales, curated by Diane Bailey and Geoff Young.
The prints have been personally selected by people who knew or worked with and were influenced by Fay Godwin; by curators, collectors and historians of photography as well as by close friends and members of her family who were invited by Diane Bailey and Geoff Young to make their selection.
The Kestle Barton exhibition of Fay Godwin’s photography, Under a turbulent sky (9 Sep – 28 Oct) includes the eighteen analogue prints from the initial exhibition, along with another nine new digital prints; again from the original negatives held in The British Library archive and accompanied by an additional nine contributors’ captions.
Exhibition conceived and curated by Diane Bailey and Geoff Young in association with The British Library.
Two Cornwall-based artists will also have work on show inspired and influenced by Fay Godwin: William Arnold’s photographic work in the adjacent upstairs space, entitled Sunspots; and Abigail Reynolds’ structures for sun and wind in the meadow and the garden.
A study day considering different approaches to landscape through a close reading of photographs by Fay Godwin and Bridgit by Charlotte Prodger will also be led by Abigail Reynolds at CAST, Helston on Saturday 28 October from 2-5pm.
Photograph above by Fay Godwin: Copper beech, Stourhead Lake, Wiltshire, 1983.© British Library Board
