You don’t need a ballroom to waltz

Aug 5 2008 by Alastair Gilmour, The Journal

Shall we dance – preferably somewhere inappropriate? asks Alastair Gilmour

A CABARET chorus girl hoofs it in a brick-strewn alley; a contemporary dancer whirls at a skateboard park; a ballerina in sequined tutu pirouettes round an industrial estate.

The unlikely situations form part of a portfolio of stunning photographs which have earned a North East student a top national award.

Claire Campbell, who has recently completed a BA (Hons) Creative Practice degree at Newcastle College, was invited to submit a series of six images for the Tom Gowar Memorial Prize. Candidates are nominated by their college and a selection of finalists for the national competition is made on the basis of a short written proposal.

Her selection, Dancers Out of Context, won top award along with £750 to help her carve out a career in the world of photography.

Claire, 24, from Cullercoats, says: “I’m very honoured, it’s a really big thing. I’ve left college now and have a few jobs at the moment and I’m hoping to start up on my own in the business. But it takes a long time to get a name for your work.

“The inspiration for this body of work stemmed from my passion for the subject and my desire to take dance photography out of the normal context of the studio and the theatre environment. All the models were from the Performance Academy at Newcastle College – they had to be professionals to get it absolutely right.

“Dance is a combined demonstration of expression and feeling, but also of physical strength and discipline. It is something that we all come into contact with in varying degrees whether it’s our vocation in life, the first dance at a wedding, or simply at the club on a Saturday night. Dance has been part of our history since the earliest records; it is a universal language across all cultures and has many interpretations.”

Tom Gowar was an associate of the British Institute of Professional Photography – which he joined in 1932 – and worked in advertising until his death in 1987. His family generously set up a charitable trust to provide a sum of money each year to be awarded to a final-year student to further his or her career in photography.

Claire says: “I bought some essential lighting equipment with the award and at the moment I’m shooting portraits and weddings but want to create a specialist niche.”