Jan Gray
Photography
a photographer..........wandering the south downs, often into abstraction
Behind the Wall
Behind the Wall
_________________________________________________
Chester: Chester is a walled cathedral city in Cheshire, England, on the River Dee and borders North Wales. It is my home town.
Behind the Wall: I met him 'behind the wall' or 'I met him in prison' or 'I met him behind bars'.
________________________________
I grew up very used to the idea of living behind a wall. Specifically, a defensive structure, initially built by the Romans and completed after the Norman Conquest, it circles my city and keeps it safe, except from tourists.
I've never been to prison as an inmate. I did, however, spend several years as an Art lecturer in one. It was in Greater Manchester and held both remand and sentenced young offenders, aged 15-21. It was Catergory B, which meant crimes commited ranged from theft to murder, possession of cannabis to dealing heroin and crack. A mixed bag, an inglorious pick and mix.
Near where I now live, 250 miles from Chester or that jail, is a flint wall about 8ft high. It surrounds an intriguing old detatched house and its gardens. I pass it often on lockdown's permitted walks. I can see over it in places that have crumbled and have made some images of what iI see there.
I would love a house with a big wall surrounding it. Maybe one day....
Behind the Wall
Behind the Wall
_________________________________________________
Chester: Chester is a walled cathedral city in Cheshire, England, on the River Dee and borders North Wales. It is my home town.
Behind the Wall: I met him 'behind the wall' or 'I met him in prison' or 'I met him behind bars'.
________________________________
I grew up very used to the idea of living behind a wall. Specifically, a defensive structure, initially built by the Romans and completed after the Norman Conquest, it circles my city and keeps it safe, except from tourists.
I've never been to prison as an inmate. I did, however, spend several years as an Art lecturer in one. It was in Greater Manchester and held both remand and sentenced young offenders, aged 15-21. It was Catergory B, which meant crimes commited ranged from theft to murder, possession of cannabis to dealing heroin and crack. A mixed bag, an inglorious pick and mix.
Near where I now live, 250 miles from Chester or that jail, is a flint wall about 8ft high. It surrounds an intriguing old detatched house and its gardens. I pass it often on lockdown's permitted walks. I can see over it in places that have crumbled and have made some images of what iI see there.
I would love a house with a big wall surrounding it. Maybe one day....