Salon Event # 5

Chemical Tea Room (Brian Morrison, Rob Rusling, Victoria Haydn and Graham Hallam) [14.10.2010 - 30.11.2010]

The fifth, and penultimate, Salon Event of 2010 featured the work of Chemical Tea Room, a group of emerging artists from Blackpool and the Fylde who specialise in social exploration through photography.

The exhibition at The Continental was the first opportunity to see the entire collective together in one place presenting coherent bodies of work, and it turned out to be a truly exciting show. Alongside the exhibition itself the artists and the venue also held talks, workshops and an Art fair throughout the duration of the show.

Chemical Tea Room is made up of the following artists:

Brian Morrison

Brian Morrison is a documentary artist; his work currently explores ideas around gender and in particular non-hegemonic masculinity. His recent series ‘Our Aim Is To Survive’. explores the social environment of a local pistol and rifle club, in an attempt to challenge preexisting stereotypes. Brian’s work acts as a critique on the normative opinions associated within what is seen as a predominantly masculine environment. By exploring aspects that do not conform to the accepted idea of firearms Brian offers the opportunity for the viewer to question their own views and opinions.

Rob Rusling

Rob Rusling is a documentary image-maker. His current work has a particular focus on faith and culture and the blurred lines that exists between the two. His series ‘A Street in Clitheroe’ looks at the point where one faith group/community is told by those outside of itself that it has no place in a given society. This work tackles this issue head on as it is acted out, documenting the struggle of the small Muslim community and those who support them in Clitheroe, a small town in Lancashire.

Victoria Haydn

Victoria Haydn is a documentary photographer; her practice focuses on ideas based around a contemporary anthropology. Victoria’s current project, 'Laughter & Tears' documents the space that foster children inhabit whilst in homes. Personal space whilst in care is vital and can be a saviour for a great number of children. Personal items within the bedroom allow the children to feel part of something, and in turn create a sanctuary, in which they can place their trust and gain a sense of ‘home’.

Graham Hallam

Graham Hallam’s photographic practice currently looks at the relationship between human and animal and the anthropomorphic nature of this connection. Graham’s recent series looks at the relationship that exists between humans and dogs, in particular working and trained dogs. His work explores the idea of a relationship that exists for practical reasons, as opposed to a relationship with a ‘pet’. The images comment on working relationships in general regardless of species, these images show the connection between two beings with one purpose and the way this manifests itself as a relationship.

See more of what Chemical Tea Room do here: www.chemicaltearoom.visualsociety.com