Personal Expressions

Personal expressions: photographic images by Derbyshire Young Farmers

• March 27th to May 27th, 2007

MERL hosted an exhibition of photographs taken by Derbyshire Young Farmers as part of a project organised by the Rural Education Arts Project (REAP)

The Personal Expressions exhibition was a social documentary about the issues faced by young people in rural communities. The Young Farmers used photographs to reflect the hardships and joys of rural life. The exhibition had been displayed all over the country - including at the offices of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), after catching the eye of Lord Rooker, Minister of State for sustainable farming and food. Prior to coming to MERL it had been on display at the Houses of Parliament, where it aimed to bring the rural issues raised to the attention of MPs.

Personal Expressions offered a unique insight into contemporary life in the English countryside. Through the medium of photography and film these young farmers recorded their hopes, fears and aspirations for the future. The results were sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and often poignant. What really shone through was the highly individual approach each artist had taken in trying to show what it means to them to live in the countryside today. The exhibition formed a wonderful contrast with MERL's historical collection of rural material.

The project was originally launched in response to work by the High Peak and Dales Primary Health Care Trust that revealed that the economic decline in farming had led to increased mental health problems in rural communities. Rural isolation, farming problems and financial worries were all cited as contributory factors to a potential healthcare crisis.

As part of Personal Expressions, more than 100 young people aged between 12 and 24 took part in photography workshops around Derbyshire. They then submitted photographs covering themes of: Self, Family and the Community; The Working Landscape; Challenges, Aspirations and Future; and Our Farming Heritage. To reflect those themes they used a wide range of techniques and equipment, including mobile phone cameras, film and digital technology to capture many moving and thought-provoking images. A resulting competition led to the selection of work for inclusion in the exhibition and 28 talented young photographers travelled to London to see their work unveiled at DEFRA in 2006.

For more information visit the  REAP website.