Hope. Despair. Miracles is a photography project about Longsight's change-makers by Roxana Allison.
Join us for the book launch of Hope. Despair. Miracles, a photography project celebrating Longsight's grassroots and individuals making a real difference in the community.
An evening of poetry, conversations about Roxana's creative process and cake! Free and everyone welcome!
It will be an informal opportunity to meet like-minded local people making a real difference in our community. It is also an opportunity for me to thank all the participants of the project for opening their doors to me and being part of this journey as well as everyone else involved with it.
350 complimentary copies will be available to Longsight residents and all attendees during the event on a first come first served basis.
Roxana Allison’s ‘Hope. Despair. Miracles.’ is a 64-page, full-colour newsprint including photography portraits and landscapes showcasing Longsight in Manchester: an area rich in ethnic diversity, yet long-associated – sometimes unfairly – with its complex social issues. Allison’s singular, insightful portraits show Longsight in a new light.
This new photobook includes full-colour photography as well as written word by participants on what its really like to live and work there; plus Allison’s short introductory essay, an afterword by Longsight Librarian Paula Carley, and a poem by Pauline Omoboye. All texts are in English and Urdu, reflecting Longsight’s large Urdu speaking communities.
The publication introduces the exceptional people devoted to growing food and improving the area’s streets, to providing quality and affordable housing, mutual support, art, music, sport, and safe spaces to learn and grow.
The ‘Hope. Despair. Miracles.’ photobook launch will be followed by a dedicated solo exhibition in the new year, ‘Hope. Despair. Miracles.’, opening to the public on Saturday 27 January 2024 (to Saturday 30 March 2024) at Waterside’s photography gallery, in Trafford, Manchester.
Find out more about Roxana's work below:
Website: https://www.roxanaallison.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roxanaallison/
Download the press release below for more information.
Photo credit: Roxana Allison