Here are the photographs that Lead Artist Quentin Budworth produced that made it to the final exhibition. Some portraits only appear on the website, some only in the film and some only in the Exhibition but they are all of equal value and all represent the constantly changing face of Hull.
Quentin’s roles within the project included principal photography, writing, managing social media and website content, liaising and working with the press, project management, administration, curation of the website and exhibition, exhibition design, fit up, film design and creation and mentoring.
Here are ‘The Changing Faces of Hull
Alan Azad Ahmad
Organiser, The New Kurdish School
“I was born in Kurdistan in Sulaymaniyah and when I came to England I spoke no English, it took me a few months to learn English. We left Kurdistan because my dad wanted us to have a safe and better life he really valued education and that’s why we came to England.
What I like about Hull is that it is a very simple life. I’m hoping the city becomes more multicultural and that people come to understand each other better. I came with my dad and my brother 15 years ago. I went to Henry Cooper School and made many friends there, that is what keeps me here.
We set up a Kurdish School to teach our children the good things about our culture and knowledge of their roots. Our aim is to educate the children and to share with other communities. We learn geography, music and language and we steer clear of politics and religion. Our aim is to promote a positive image of Kurdistan for our children and the greater of community of Hull.”
Photographs and interview Quentin Budworth
Bashir Shiraj
Project Manager Open Doors
“Open Doors Project was set up by Princes Avenue Methodist Church in the year 2000. We welcome and support asylum seekers and refugees enabling them to play a full and positive role in our society.
My role is to make sure the activities of the Open Doors run smoothly, I coordinate with our diverse team of volunteers, the members of Open Doors Management Committee, working partners, supporters and make sure the needs of our clients are met as much as possible.
The challenges facing people from different cultures in Hull are around confidence-building, making progress in their careers, social integration and sometimes in certain areas of Hull, with racism or less acceptance.
By having my portrait taken I am showing my solidarity, presence, belonging and support to the various development initiatives taking place in our city.
I would like to see greater social cohesion, people working together, more jobs, a diverse approach and policy in the organisations and agencies of our city and a clean, safe and environmentally friendly place to live.”
Photographs and interview Quentin Budworth
::SI2::
Hull Graffiti artist
“Hull-born, East Park-raised, I had drawn since I could hold a pencil and became a teen as the American Hip Hop culture came to the UK and was gripped. I was crap at break-dancing, was no rapper or DJ so graffiti art was the obvious way to be part of the raw, growing street culture.
I’d like to think I went onto inspire some of the next generation of artists from Hull who in turn have done the same. Graffiti has always suffered from bad press and I have tried to portray it to people outside the culture, especially in Hull, as something positive. Personally it has never been about causing damage but making our environment more interesting and colourful. After years’ of practice I hope my work’s at a quality where nobody can deny its artistic merit. I paint for fun and as a profession worked on too many commissions, events, workshops to name and prefer to let my work speak for me. I hope to play a part in the City of Culture representing my artform that is now a rich, vibrant global movement that deserves celebration! The photo taken here is done for my friend at Robbie’s Rehearsals on Hedon Road.”
Photograph and interview Quentin Budworth
Anna Bean
Photographic Artist
“I have always loved being creative. I am most happy when I am engaged in making things; this for me is a truly positive activity. I work as a freelance photographic artist and I also work as a lecturer in Photography, Art and Design at the Hull College School of Creative Arts, Park Street.
I create surreal constructed photographic images inspired by old masters, cult films, fairy stories and TV from my childhood. I collaborate with friends and family who star in my photographs as fantastical and sometimes grotesque characters. I also create digital montages re-imagined from vintage photographs.
A light is being shone onto to the idea that cultural activity in all its forms can offer an escape from, or alternative to, the routine of everyday existence. Art and Culture has the power to transform. Confidence and a belief in yourself and others have the power to transform. Things are changing and I think the change is good.”
http://www.bluebeany.com
Photograph Quentin Budworth, Words Anna Bean
Amrita Singh
“I grew up in Hull; at one time it felt like we were the only Indian family in the City. There wasn’t a lot to do then – now things are much improved with plenty of opportunities for going out and having a nice time as a family.”
Photograph and interview Quentin Budworth
Dave Windass
Writer
“I was born in Hull. There are three council houses next to Albert Ave. swimming baths. I came bawling into the world in the middle one, number 90; growing up involved a lot of time in the outdoor pool next-door-but-one and swimming lessons with Jack Hale, the Olympic swimmer who revolutionized the butterfly stroke.
Our house was a creative one. My dad was a signwriter, responsible for all those fluorescent posters that used to fill the windows of Jacksons supermarkets. When he wasn’t working he was painting. He painted our bedroom walls with caricatures; our favourite cartoon characters, sporting heroes, whatever we wanted. The house was full of books. My sister was always wearing holes in the carpets with her dancing.
I write for a living now but I went the long way round to get here. Hull is an exciting place to be able to do this. We’ve got a blank canvas, in essence, and there’s a chance that we could invent the future of theatre right here in this city. For me, that would be theatre a million miles away from the stuffy confines of traditional spaces, diverse work that appeals to people that might not, otherwise, go anywhere near theatre.”
Photographs and interview Quentin Budworth
Martin Green
Chief Executive, Hull City of Culture 2017
It seems like an age since I stood in the biting late January wind with Martin Green, on the Scale Lane Bridge also known as The Millennium Bridge in Hull – I recall we spoke of the bridge as Martin’s favourite place in Hull as it allows you to see so many different aspects of Hull from one vantage point, Here he talks about life in the City in his own words.
“I am a new arrival to Hull, exploring it simultaneously as a place to live and work. There is no doubt that Hull is driving itself into the perfect storm. Our cultural scene is growing, new Businesses both large and small are opening here and the Northern voice grows ever louder. We are no longer at the end of the road, but the beginning of it. As a new resident one notices that Hull is a city of bridges – literal and metaphorical. Scale Lane Bridge is one of my favourites. As you look out from it in every direction you are unmistakably in Hull. It’s a modern, challenging piece of architecture that speaks of the future but references the past, which I see as the core goal for everything we will do together as UK City of Culture 2017.”
Photograph, words and interview Quentin Budworth
Rick Welton
Arts Administrator
“I grew up in Hull. My dad was a fruit importer with a warehouse in Humber Street where I spent many Saturday mornings and holidays barrowing boxes of apples and oranges about. I’ve seen a lot of changes in the arts scene since I came back here after university as administrator of Hull Arts Centre in 1969.
The first play when the arts centre opened in a converted church hall in Spring Street was Alan Plater’s Don’t Build a Bridge, Drain the River with music by The Watersons and Michael Chapman. Hull actor Barrie Rutter was in the company then so it was great to meet him again last week in the foyer of Hull Truck after his performance of King Lear.
The changes that are coming to the Fruit Market and to the city are momentous and so exciting. I love the new can-do spirit that’s around. It’s the spirit that made Amy Johnson, Hull’s aviator heroine, such an amazing pioneering woman. Hull’s taking flight and flying high just as she did!”
Photograph and interview Quentin Budworth
Liz Dees
Artist/Designer/Maker
“The moment that the winning of city of culture was announced, that early morning televised announcement, I found myself almost overcome with emotion: ‘My goodness this is amazing’ I thought, ‘this is a real game changer. This is an opportunity to make a difference to Hull and never turn back’.
So here we are 18 months on, and two years away from celebrating our own cultural rebirth, the future is exciting and increasingly positive. We all now have the power and potential influence to make beautiful progress with all our dreams and desires for our own cultural and creative practices, as well as our belief in the potential for Hull’s future. So there’s my theory.”
Photograph and interview Quentin Budworth
Gifty Burrows
Founder of the William Wilberforce Monument Fund
“The William Wilberforce Monument Fund is a campaign that aims to restore the lighting for the Wilberforce monument in readiness for 2017. It also aims to improve the cultural and historical awareness of Wilberforce and the abolitionist legacy in the context of past and modern day slavery. We hope to involve most people in Hull in doing this in celebration of the city’s pride in having such a globally significant son as its own!
My feeling is that both historic and contemporary slavery have similarities in that both are giant elephants in the room, not mentioned in ‘polite society’. We are uncomfortable about acknowledging the cruelties of the past, guarding against blame and we don’t want to admit to the economic benefits in case there’s a call to give something back. However looking back has its own rewards in that it allows a clearer understanding about some of the long held views that shape our thinking within and across communities.
Racism isn’t all about slavery, but it has a strong hand to play in it with ideas reinforced through the generations. It means that many continue to judge the calibre of a person on race and colour.
There was no miracle even in Wilberforce’s time that said all men were equal, but it became obvious to the
majority that humans were not commodities without feelings. This is the same value that should still apply today.
I see Wilberforce as a symbol on a path where he can both see the world he sought to improve through the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade and yet he can see the crucial need to highlight the curse of modern slavery. He is a symbolic reminder that tells us what should already be held as true: that no human life is subordinate to another such that someone can be exploited by another for their own gain.
Lighting the monument acknowledges past efforts but it reminds us that the cost to those before us was that requirement to step out of our comfort zone to do something different to the betterment of others.
We can all be abolitionists in every small way, we live in a different age where we have more choice as citizens to petition, be responsible consumers and be vigilant in addressing the issue of modern slavery. Light the monument, light the message.”
Photograph and interview Quentin Budworth
Kate Macdonald
Timebank Coordinator
“I moved to Hull in 1992 to study Psychology and apart from a couple of years living near Hornsea I’ve been here ever since. I love this city, it’s down to earthiness and friendliness and connectiveness. It’s a wonderful time to live here with the promise of the City of Culture to show the world what we’ve got to offer!
Timebanking is a way of connecting people so the reason I have a heart in the photo is because for me timebanking is not just about ‘reweaving communities’, it is about love. Having the privilege to facilitate this and be a member myself takes it beyond work – it’s life!
I call this a quiet revolution, a movement which enables us to exchange without money and value each other perhaps recognising that we are not so different after all. For people who have been ‘recipients of services’ the time bank enables them to be active citizens, being able to contribute as well as receive. I’ve met so many amazing people and it is wonderful observing friendships being made, interest groups being set up and exchanges happening.
Photograph and interview Quentin Budworth
Michael Anthony Barnes-Wynters
Project Manager Roots and Wings
“I’ve had a connection with the city through music and street arts for a number of years – initially through Time-Based Arts and The Museum of Club Culture. I filmed about 40 people for my Dutty Lingo Project this summer and interestingly I connected with lots of key people in Hull through it.
I moved here at the end of October from Manchester and live in HU5. Hull is a smaller city than Manchester but there are as many exciting things happening here creatively as there are in Manchester.
I really enjoy living in Hull, I love the people I’m meeting and I’m still discovering new things. There is a definite shift in confidence in people – and that is the way it needs to go. I love Grannies Parlour and the Vintage Dove House Hospice Shop at 87 Newland Avenue.”
Photograph and interview Quentin Budworth
Rupert Creed
Playwright
“I left Brighton for Hull 40 years ago to study Drama and German at Hull University, and have lived and worked here ever since. Hull in the 70’s was grim. Hull has stories to tell to the world. Our job is to tell ‘em the best way we can. And being a sometimes-pirate can sometimes help.”
Photograph and interview Quentin Budworth
Matt Cunnah
Hull Pie
“I love Hull, it’s a unique place; it’s somewhere almost undiscovered and it has its own style and way that it runs… Hull is the biggest village in the world, everyone seems to gather into little areas and everyone seems to make their own special community.”
Photograph and interview Quentin Budworth
Alan Raw
Hull International Photography Gallery & POP
Alan Raw pictured at the opening of the Hull International Photography Gallery.
Alan is making a huge contribution to Hull’s cultural life on many levels notably through his work with the POP Gallery and the Hull International Photography Gallery.
We would like to say a big thank you to Alan and the team from The Creative and Cultural Company for hosting our workshop at the gallery’s opening event.
Photograph and words Quentin Budworth
Lisa Harrison Wedgner
Arts Worker at The Warren
Photograph Quentin Budworth
Mick McGarry
Folk Singer
One of the first Changing Faces was the indomitable, musical force of nature that is Mick McGarry. In the interview he spoke of his life really beginning with retirement and the joy that singing brings him. Mick is truly remarkable man who is changing the face of Hull through his work with the Hillbilly Troupe and his other musical activities within the city.
Photograph and words Quentin Budworth
Ms Sydell Faith
Blogger and Cook
“Hello my name is Sydell, I created The Early Bird Eater around two years ago. The Early Bird Eater has turned my life from something quite normal into something I could not have expected. Creatively I feel free and people really embrace what I do. It is Hull’s creative culture and people make me what I am today.
Food is my way of expression and I love that there is variation I go to the butchers veg shop and a place to buy spices and create. Food is my whole life giving food to people is a pleasure sharing what I cook on social media via my blogs, articles and other means are really exciting too.”
Photograph and interview Quentin Budworth
Case Training
Community Organisation
I was welcomed into the CASE Training community and had an extraordinary day visiting their main site and meeting the staff and students. What struck me about this community was the warmth, humanity, respect, understanding and support that was clear to see in every gesture, word and action. The portrait, I hope, conveys the warm and supportive nature of this community.
CASE was founded in 1985 by parents and carers of adults with learning disabilities and is dedicated to the improvement of life choices for these people through the provision of high quality training, support and employment opportunities.
CASE provides education, training and therapeutic services for adults with learning disabilities and associated conditions which include Epilepsy, Asperger’s Syndrome, Dyspraxia, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Health, Down Syndrome, Fragile X, ADHD and Global Development Delay.
CASE supports over 100 clients from Hull and East Riding to gain the skills and confidence needed to live full and independent lives.
(Portrait Daniel Aubrey)
Photographs and words Quentin Budworth
HANA: Humber All Nations Alliance
Community Organisation
Early in January I spent a wonderful afternoon at the Hana office with Brigitta, Anita Bollane, Greta Fedkina and Irina Cukura. These ladies are rightly proud of their national identity and roots and wanted to show off their national costumes. The light was fading fast so I had to work quickly to get their portraits. We laughed a lot making the images and had a mini fashion shoot in the street outside the HANA buildings.
HANA is composed of 50 different community groups and associations from various religious groups (Orthodox Church, Christian Fellowship, The Mosque, Hindu Cultural Association, African, Indian, Eastern European, Chinese, Iranian, Greek and other diverse groups.
HANA do this by providing a voice and advocating on their behalf and by representing their interests in a range of influential or decision-making contexts, as well as running a variety of services and activities which brings and builds relationships between communities and service providers.
Photographs and words Quentin Budworth
The Carnegie Heritage Centre
Liz Draper
The Carnegie Heritage Centre is a resource that can be accessed by people with an interest in both Local and Family history. The centre has an amazing wealth of data about Hull’s history and people’s memories of it.
The enthusiastic volunteers spend hours cataloguing old and new data and are always on hand to help visitors with their queries.
People are welcome to come in and look at the books, maps, box files etc. whether it be for individual study, family history research or just curiosity.
The Centre is the home of a thriving community of people who are passionate about Hull and its history. I had a call out of the blue – an invitation to visit them after they had seen an article about the project in the local paper. I hope that I have done them justice in my portraits of them. If you time your visit right you will be offered mid-afternoon tea and biscuits. If you have the ear and the time to listen you will certainly leave wiser and more knowledgeable about Hull’s past and the change that has happened within living memory within the city.
Photographs and words Quentin Budworth
The Rise Academy
Polish School
A school hosted by St. Michael & All Angels Church for children who are new to the UK, aged 15-16, with English as a second language played host for a Changing Faces workshop. What struck me immediately about these youngsters was there very real sense of purpose and determination to succeed as adults. Aspirations ranged from being a doctor to being a car mechanic but they knew that they had to work hard to succeed and were prepared to do so. When I asked some of them what they liked best about coming to school they said that it was the food and the warmth in the school. They liked Hull, though some thought it was a bit quiet!
It is so difficult for our school system to accommodate these youngsters in Hull due to the public examination system and the pressure on schools to produce good results. The work that is going on with these youngsters is truly remarkable.
(Portraits of Niphatthra Taylor and Mathew Peters)
Photographs and words Quentin Budworth
The Warren
Community Organisation
The thing that struck me about The Warren when I was invited to take portraits was the openness and friendliness of the staff, volunteers and young people.
The Warren gets up to 100 people through its doors each day and offers a range of services, which include childcare, music and arts programmes, and counselling sessions, to young people in the city. Unfortunately the charity that faces an uncertain future because of severe funding cuts.
Drug abuse, sexual health, mental health issues and homelessness are just a few issues tackled at The Warren Young People’s Project. Put bluntly, there are people who would not be alive today, had it not been for this city centre charity.
(Portraits of Emma Wilkinson, Daniel Bird, Wesley Harman, Sam Vine, Louise Thompson, Matt, Christian Wilding, Komal Kurshid, Nimo Deria, Nana Marshall, Ysabelle Wombwell, Craig Moody, Heidi Victoria Ireland, Lisa Harrison Wegner).
Photographs and words Quentin Budworth
Open Doors Hull
Community Organisation
I was welcomed into Open Doors Hull by project manager Bashir and this was to be one of the most challenging and interesting environments to work in.
Open Doors Hull aims to work with asylum seekers both who have got asylum claims on or have had them turned down and become destitute. It aims to support refugees, enabling them to integrate into the local society and live independent and confident life successfully. The project offers a light breakfast, small amounts of cash support, food parcels, free clothes, free music and English (ESOL) classes, immigration and benefit advice and support (British Red Cross) and support for migrant workers.
It gets extremely busy every Thursday morning with up to 100 clients and volunteers in the building. The portraits were made within the Princes Avenue Methodist Church building in Hull and its grounds.
(Photographs are of staff, volunteers and clients at the Open Doors Hull including Bashir (above) Cecil (featured portrait) Judy Akazue, Bala Mirtham, K Wang Li, Farid Yahiadui, Wanyu Flora, Sawsan Awad Mohammed Ali, Rokhaya Pouge, Margaret Solanke, Hamed Nejati, and David Emmanuel Koye).
Photographs and words Quentin Budworth
Roya Louise Amiri
Actress and writer
This photo was taken between the dress rehearsals of Yalda: Iranian Woman written by Roya and Dave Windass and performed at Kardomah94. The play was performed to sell-out audiences over two nights in January 2015 and explored the experience of growing up as an Iranian girl in Yorkshire. Roya grew up in Hull and returns frequently to the city.
Photograph and words Quentin Budworth
Professor Jo Carby-Hall
Honorary Consul of the Republic Of Poland
Jo speaks many different languages, travels around the world frequently and is founder of the Jo Carby-Hall Poland Foundation Scholarships which offers financial support to Polish students studying for higher degrees.
Photograph and words Quentin Budworth
Rama Bannerji
Teacher
“I’ve seen many changes in Hull; it’s a nice place to live which I would recommend to anyone. I have lived here for 38 years. I came from India and have never moved out of Hull. My favourite place in Hull is the Local Reference Library in Hull Central Library it’s a truly beautiful place.”
Photographs and interview Quentin Budworth
Quentin Budworth 