
Wolverhampton

A homeless man sleeps on the steps of McDonald’s. An empty coffee cup is used to collect change from passers by.
For years Büyükada Market has been held every Thursday between 6:00am and 12:00pm. Stalls and canopies are erected the previous day by the local market traders. Some of them live on the island but most come from Istanbul. They come to sell fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and cheese to the islanders. Over the years the market has expanded into the surrounding side streets. Here traders sell hand made items like lace tablecloths, scarves and rugs; as well as manufactured items like shoes, handbags and clothing. Bartering is expected.
In association with Wolverhampton Art Gallery, The Arts Council and the University of Wolverhampton I have been asked to produce work celebrating and reflecting on the manufacturing and industrial heritage of the Black Country. The attached images were taken at Broadfield House Glass in Kingswinford.
“The people of the Black Country have an unrivalled industrial and manufacturing heritage. But it is not a thing of the past – the area continues to be a creative place of re-invention and innovation. Black Country Echoes is a celebration of this amazing tradition – including a programme of working with local people who share our enthusiasm for recording this history. It will culminate in a major festival opening in September 2014.”
Information from:
Web: http://www.blackcountryechoes.org.uk