Why it matters: The new 'Suffolk Creatives' collection addresses a gap in documenting the region's artistic talent, specifically highlighting the contributions of female artists who have previously lacked collective representation.
The big picture: Ferguson's exhibition, 'An Eye For Life', has been running since last summer at the Wolsey Art Gallery. The exhibition spans his 25-year career, featuring photographs of global celebrities, including David Bowie, Oasis and Dolly Parton, alongside local projects such as the Ipswich Banger Racers series.
What they're saying: "The exhibition has proved incredibly popular with visitors," says Councillor Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Planning and Museums. "These images tell stories of people's lives - challenging the viewer and changing perceptions of identity and portraiture, yet they are approachable and intimate too."
Who's featured: The new portraits showcase 11 female artists, including:
Dide: Award-winning multi-disciplinary artist and composer
Jennifer Hall: Artist, sculptor and printmaker
Juliet Gilkes Romero: Award-winning playwright and journalist
Hannah Debnam: Self-taught taxidermist
What's next: The public can meet Ferguson at a drop-in event on Saturday, 25 January, from 14:00 to 15:30 at the Wolsey Art Gallery.
The bottom line: The exhibition, which is free to enter, will continue at Christchurch Mansion's Wolsey Art Gallery until 27 April 2025, featuring both the new 'Suffolk Creatives' series and Ferguson's retrospective work.
An Eye For Life: Photography by John Ferguson
Celebrating themes of portraiture, identity and home, this exhibition will bring works by Ipswich-based photographer John Ferguson to the Wolsey Art Gallery.
