In August we asked photographer Niall McDiarmid to produce a new set of portraits to shine a light on and celebrate our Independent Traders and Shopkeepers based in and around Colwyn Bay, Old Colwyn and Rhos on Sea.
TWENTY FOUR large scale portraits will be displayed in the six prom shelters between Rhos on Sea and Old Colwyn with each shelter exhibiting two portraits on either side, the project links the town together via photography.
Produced by Oriel Colwyn and Northern Eye’s Paul Sampson, State of Independents brings high quality photographic work to the public realm whilst also engaging the local business community.
The exhibition only celebrates a small section of the unique personalities and businesses found within our town. It is hoped that the project will become a catalyst for further engagement with photographers, artists, businesses and the community on a much larger scale.
Displaying high quality work in public spaces is an ethos of both Oriel Colwyn and Northern Eye to successfully break down barriers to artistic and public engagement.
Last year Oriel Colwyn produced a similar project with Niall for Llandudno’s seafront shelters. The highly successful Hidden Hospitality concentrated on showcasing the workforce within the town’s hospitality trade and still remains in place today.
