Frome-based documentary and fine art photographer, Mark Brookes, will be the first to take part in the Meet the Makers scheme set up by Nicky Bragg at Fromie Gifts in Stony Street.
Mark who produces the annual Frome calendar and a popular range of photo-art cards will be taking over the Fromie Gifts space as a dedicated gallery for two months, opening on Friday April 3rd.
Mark who studied at Salisbury College of Art established himself as a go-to photographer for alternative portraits, documentary images and fine art gallery prints during the 1990s, running a successful studio over the border in Wiltshire. He made his name producing images for bands, actors, books, environmental campaigns and even photographing celebrities and royalty. Eventually becoming disillusioned with the business, he left photography behind for over 20 years.
Now based in Frome, Mark has returned to the photographic world producing quirky portraits, as well as documentary work and alternative images of his adopted town.
The opening of this two month ‘pop-up’ gallery coincides with the publication of three new books covering Mark’s work with models and musicians, Extinction Rebellion and his adopted hometown of Frome where he lives with his partner the saxophonist and writer Vicki Burke.
Mark said, ‘This year is going to be really busy for me, after what seemed to be an age finding my way back into the photography business it’s all suddenly coming together. The support I’ve had from businesses in Frome has been wonderful. Nicky at Fromie Gifts has been working with me and buying my work for some time, so having the opportunity to take over her fabulous shop for a couple of months is amazing’
Fromie Gifts founder Nicky Bragg said, “I’m so excited to give local makers like Mark the opportunity to have a real presence in the heart of town and use the shop as an exclusive platform to showcase his talent. Meanwhile I’ll be working behind the scenes for the rest of my Fromie suppliers and all items will be available online, with gift cards and T shirts still available to buy from the shop. It really is the perfect flexible fit for all of us!”
What is certain is that visitors can expect the unexpected at the pop-up gallery, some of Mark’s more recent photography work has been described as quirky, surreal and even challenging. Shooting with both state-of-the-art digital and 1960s vintage medium format film cameras Mark often breaks the established photographic rules, preferring to shoot in the moment, producing images that can be edgy, gritty and sometimes controversial.
The gallery will give people the opportunity to see a large selection of Mark’s work with prints and books available to buy directly from him during his residency there. For more information contact Mark at info@markbrookes.net or visit his website www.markbrookes.net.
