QUAD Derby

A Burton College student has been praised for her work exhibited as part of FORMAT09 International Photography Festival in Derby.

Brian Griffin, renowned international photographer and British documentary Photographer and Photo-journalist Martin Parr, commented on photographs taken by Photography student Helen Lambert as “the highlight of the show” during the opening speeches of the Festival’s official launch in QUAD on Thursday 5th March.

Focusing on the theme of ‘Road Trip’, Helen’s series of four Polaroid images, which was inspired by the work of French writer and photographer Sophie Calle, features her mother shot on location on a recent trip to London, using a 1970’s colour scheme to add a realistic vintage feel. 

Brian Griffin said “As myself and Martin (Parr) were viewing the exhibitions outside of QUAD, I noticed a set of Polaroid images that really caught my eye, a spark of real talent. I found out they were taken by a student from Burton (College) and was really impressed, I will be keeping an eye on the student’s progress, as the images were really strong and one of my personal highlights of the festival.”

Brian Griffin and Martin Parr are jointly patrons of the FORMAT09 International Photography Festival, which is on view in 20 venues throughout Derby until 5th April 2009. This year’s theme is ‘PHOTOCINEMA’ includes exhibitions, talks, screenings, masterclasses, mass participation and special events, with over 200 artists taking part including; David Lynch, Jonas Mekas,  Wim Wenders, Eric Baudelaire, Cindy Sherman, Hannah Starkey, Muge, Simon Roberts, Zhang Xiao, Steve Harries & Mel Bles, Jason Dee, Nadege Meriau, E. J. Major, Eugenia Ivanissevich and Magnum in Motion.

Now in its third year, FORMAT International Photography Festival is now one of the UK’s leading contemporary photography and media festivals, and is the place to see an incredible range of new work alongside the best known international practitioners. FORMAT International Photography Festival is curated by Louise Clements and organised by QUAD in partnership with Derby City Council, Arts Council of England and University of Derby.

Helen Lambert (19), from Melbourne, is currently on her a second year of a Photography National Diploma course at Burton College. Talking about Helen’s work, Course Leader Chris Beech said, “Helen is just one of our students who was invited to participate in what is a highly regarded International Photography Festival such as FORMAT. This is a great honour and provides an opportunity to showcase our students’ creativity, professionalism and skill. Our Curriculum Area of Visual Arts brings together all the facilities and expertise needed to provide a rich artistic experience and working environment to inspire the talent of our students and the work on show clearly illustrates this. Martin Parr and Brian Griffin are leading figures in the industry whose work has been exhibited and published extensively and is held in many art collections around the world, so to be described as “the highlight of the show” by them, is amazing and really recognises Helen’s talent.”

Helen Lambert added "...it was a complete surprise... Photographers of the standing and reputation of Martin Parr and Brian Griffin to have spoken so kindly about my work, was very flattering and has made me even more determined to succeed in photography"

Click here for more information about the FORMAT09 International Photography Festival, or go to the festival website: www.formatfestival.com