On a bench in Hampstead Heath (From Hillingdon Times)
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Photographer Catriona Gray tells Rosy Moorhead her plans for a photography exhibition based on the commemorative plaques on Hampstead Heath's benches
11:32am Thursday 26th July 2012 in Exhibitions By Rosy Moorhead
One of the benches in Hampstead Heath that Catriona Gray is hoping to learn the story behind
When you’re walking across Hampstead Heath and pass a bench with a memorial plaque on it, do you ever stop to wonder about the person behind the name and dates? Who they were, what they were like, what they loved about this place? Maybe they even sat in this same spot, where you are now.
These are just the sorts of questions that have inspired local photographer Catriona Gray, who is looking for the stories of the people who inspired the dedications for her project in progress, Hampstead Heath Benches .
"It’s nice to have personal things out there in a public park," says Catriona, 33, from Kentish Town, "they’re symbols of people’s relationships."
The plan is to document the benches on the heath by way of a series of photographic portraits.
"I’ve had a few responses so far from people with family benches on the heath," she says. "I’ve asked them to write me something about it, things they remember about those people, then I’ll meet up with them and photograph them in the places they mention."
The set of photographs that Catriona takes will ‘make up that person’ and she hopes to eventually exhibit the collection in a gallery in Hampstead.
If you have a story to tell about any of the benches in Hampstead Heath, or know anyone who has, contact Catriona Gray on trinagray@gmail.com or 07958 691 643.
- Details: www.catrionagray.co.uk
