Ian Beesley

Went to Salts Mill today and enjoyed the usual sprinkling of Hockney (see tomorrow's blip) but mainly to catch the last but one day of his retrospective exhibition.

Not only we did we catch it, but we also caught Ian giving a talk to Leeds Uni students about his pictures and his work. Right time right place.

The decay of northern industry, twins, coal mines, mills, pubs, portraits of those in care, and a stint of being the Bantam's photographer in residence. He's been doing this for 44 years, so a greatest hits of sorts.

The image above is described in the newspaper cutting in the extra, but I like the pools coupon, the calendar from 1985 and the packet of fags. Perfect.

Finally, we caught him reading aloud Ian McMillan's poem A song of Goodbye - the two often work together. Bradford & Barnsley.

Good for the soul this kind of stuff, thought provoking.