Shallal are an inclusive arts charity. Last year photographer Andy Parker was introduced to us, from the start he produced stunningly good and interesting photographs. Dance on stage is challenging to photograph, it involves seizing the moment. Andy has produced some of the best images ever for us. This enables Shallal’s work to be seen and more widely known. He then came to our rehearsals and we discovered not only can he make dance performance photographs of high quality but also rare and revealing images and portraits of the performers and collaborative relationships within the company. We are incredibly grateful for all he has given and contributed to us.
On top of the results he creates an enthusiastic atmosphere around photography sharing his inspiration, and works so well around us all that he is never intrusive or in the way. His images capture the art and spirit/ ethos of the work enabling us to gain further funding and support for our projects.
Last year Andy also exhibited images in Studio 61 as part of our first exhibition. He is an inspired photographer loving the techniques involved and we plan to create books, and are in the process of organising a touring exhibition to support the Shallal’s work and to celebrate the art of photgraphy, through photographs developed by hand, involving old techniques and processes less commonly used.
Cornwall is an area of high unemployment and low incomes, Andy has done so much for us and we hope to collaborate on so much more; by supporting his materials, you can ensure this important and valued work will develop and continue. To support the ethos of positive inclusion within society as shown through the arts in Shallal, enabling vulnerable people to be seen and appreciated for what they have to give .Thank you
Jo Willis
Artistic Director
Shallal
www.shallal.org.uk
shallal-arts.blogspot.co.uk
This letter is to support and recommend the photographer Andy Parker in his personal and artistic collaboration with Shallal Dance Theatre.
I have had the pleasure of working with Andy Parker for the last year, 2012, as part of my residency as dance artist with Shallal Dance Theatre. My year of collaboration, devising and support was funded by the BBC as part of their Community Arts Fund.
The main focus of my work for the last 30 years has been performance, what constitutes it, how and by who it is witnessed and performed.
My work has also been informed by the fact that for the last 23 of those years I have been HIV positive.
This project was extremely successful, innovative and challenging. Although site-specific performance has become fashionable in the past decade it is rare and unique that an inclusive dance theatre company should place their work out in the wider community at events and locations that allow Shallal’s unique voice to be witnessed by an audience unaccustomed to seeing such authentic and emotionally present performances.
Andy Parkers capacity to capture and document this special company is unique. Without the continued presence of Andy at the weekly devising sessions and performances we would lose these extraordinary images of one of the most visionary inclusive dance theatre company’s in the country. To capture and reveal the company in the special way Andy does is irreplaceable. He has given of his time and energy freely and unconditionally and the company members trust him and feel comfortable with him. This being of the highest value considering the inclusive quality of the company and the sensitivity often needed. Not only does Andy capture the quiet, tender moments but he has been able to highlight the humour and spectacle of the performances too. In an age where the digital image is king Andy has decided as many contemporary talents have that the use of traditional film and developing techniques allow him the sensitivity to create the images that best reflect the intimate and delicate nature of his finished work.
I would encourage any support of Andy Parker in his search to capture with his remarkable photography the true spirit of Shallal’s inspiring vision.
Rory McDermott
J Willis - Artistic Director, Shallal Dance Company
Rory McDermott - Dance Artist
Andy Parker
Photographer