The Public ask people of the Black Country to photograph themselves at work

The Public in West Bromwich are mounting a major exhibition of industrial photography and are currently inviting local people to send in photographs of themselves or their workmates at their place of work.

In the Best Light, which runs for free from 6 April to 26 June will feature alongside a collection of huge photographs by the late Maurice Broomfield, and will help celebrate a region rich in industrial heritage.

The West Bromwich arts centre is looking to catalogue the lifeblood of the local community by encouraging local factory workers to help build up a photographic portfolio of modern day industrial life.  The photographs of Black Country people at work will be displayed alongside Broomfield’s work throughout gallery and will also be available to view online on The Public’s website.

Industrial Photographer, Maurice Broomfield, left school at 15 to work in a factory, and spent his evenings as a student in the Derby College of Art. Inspired by the drama of industry, he endeavoured to convey this atmosphere with photographs and sketches, bringing an insight to those who would never experience such things.  Recording the historical relationships between man and machine in post-war Briton, Broomfield made the most bleak environments making them appear epic and vibrant.

Taking the work of Maurice Broomfield as inspiration, photographers Jonathan Lee and Phil Brooks have been commissioned to photograph industry in the Black Country in 2011 and look to encourage people who work in local factories to photograph their own work environment.

The Public are also working with students from Sandwell College photography Department, who have recently been commissioned to take photos of thriving industry in the region.

Linda Saunders, Managing Director of The Public said,

“The Black Country has very proud industrial roots and we’re looking to celebrate this by encouraging the local community to share their factory photos.  Maurice Broomfield was renowned industrial photographer and using his photos as an inspiration we look build a fascinating catalogue of Black Country living.”

If you would like to contribute some photographs of you or your workmates at work then simply email them to www.thepublic.com.

Deadline for submissions is 27 March 2011