Gangstas of the Goldfields

Gangstas of the Goldfields is a photography project to celebrate some local, and well-known characters -people whom everybody knows or has seen around town - and transform our perceptions of them.

The photographic theme, along with their hidden pasts, takes these fifteen charming, harmless, Goldfields people and transforms them into, well, gangstas at the end of their careers: The leader of an all girl razor-gang in Glasgow who is a now quiet and convivial lady involved in community activities; the London doorman who ran with the notorious Kray Twins in South-East London but now happily paints for a living; the local legend who liked to rob banks (but would never work Sundays, not because he’s pious, but because the banks are closed) and now gently tends to his flowers.

These people walk amongst us, but have completely not-made-up pasts that will, alongside the gritty and intriguing photographs, make us think differently of them...

This project is by a single artist, Ken Sharpe, who has developed a good relationship with these wonderful people; I guess I’d have to as some of the photos are not that flattering - but they are impactful!

The aim of this exhibition is to develop conversation and enjoyment about the people who surround us and using photography as a medium to communicate a different way of thinking about people.