What to expect
Showcasing portrait projects that John has worked on over the years, the display includes Ipswich’s newly acquired Black Suffolk portraits funded by the Art Fund and The Friends of the Ipswich Museums. The series of 20 photographic portraits creatively explores the concept of home for a diversity of people from the African-Caribbean community who were born here or have made Suffolk their home.
John has worked in 60 countries and covered a diverse range of photo stories from conflict zones and national disasters to promotional campaigns focusing on poverty, refugees and rural loneliness. He has photographed countless celebrities from Prince to Beyonce. In 2005, he photographed 50 black British pioneers for the Black Britannia project, which was then collected by the National Portrait Gallery.
This will be the first exhibition to showcase John’s photography in Suffolk and explore his past career. Highlights will include his work as a senior photographer for a leading national Newspaper.
The exhibition covers his time working with celebrities, including Oasis, The Spice Girls, The Osbournes, Dolly Parton, Tom Jones, Bowie, and many more. It also looks at John’s favourite personal photo projects, from the Forgotten African American Cowboys to street photography, Ipswich Banger Racers and his work with the Albino and Blind Associations.
Ipswich’s historic portrait collection will also be highlighted in the Mansion, covering 500 years of art. A celebration of Suffolk faces will show how humans have shaped their identity through portraiture for hundreds of years.
How to book
No booking required
How to get there
Car parks nearby which are pay and display include - Crown Pools (five minute walk). Ipswich is just 1 hour 15 minutes on the main train line from London to Norwich. Arriving at Ipswich Station the museum is approximately 20 minute walk or short bus ride to the town centre. The museum is a five minute walk from Tower Ramparts bus station in the town centre - see the latest bus timetables here.
For useful information, such as how to find us and what facilities Christchurch Mansion has, we recommend reading our Access information: Access at Christchurch Mansion