Photographic exhibition captures slice of life in Inverkeithing and chronicles regeneration
Photographic artist Leanna Tanner is showcasing her work at the Inverkeithing Arts Initiative’s Maker Gallery and Workshop in Inverkeithing High Street in an exhibition sponsored by Kingdom Housing Association.
The young Fife photographer has launched her first solo exhibition with a series of striking images that capture the spirit and energy of her home town.
The exhibition, titled ‘The Ave’, records the ongoing transformation of Fraser Avenue where 236 common access flats are being demolished by Fife Council with the cleared sites being redeveloped by Kingdom, which is currently on site with the first phase of 53 new affordable homes.
The new housing has been designed to meet the needs of existing tenants from the flats, who want to remain in the area, and to help address the housing needs in the area.
Leanna, from Inverkeithing, recently graduated after four years of studies at Fife College. Her aim is to continue her creative work her exhibition focusses on her own experience of childhood in Inverkeithing, celebrating the energy and spirit of childhood, and capturing images of the area as it undergoes a significant period of regeneration.
Leanna said: “I feel that the people of Inverkeithing make it such a nice place. They have always been very welcoming to me and I wanted to suggest that community spirit in my images. I hoped that by using local areas of interest as a setting for my visual stories, people would be keen to share in the experience and they would want to see the final images.”
Leanna added: “I wanted to develop a project to allow me to keep my focus on the area of photography I love - creative portraits. The Inverkeithing art project has allowed me to use my creative ideas, put them into action and it gave me the chance to try new things and keep my photography fresh.
"Using the local area was important to me. I was able to bring together local creatives to help promote our talents and help each other. It was also important to me to encourage young people to take part. I felt that the experience was something that could help boost confidence of any young person involved.”
Leanna thanked Inverkeithing Arts Initiative and Kingdom Housing Association for their support with the exhibition.
Visiting the exhibition Bill Banks, Kingdom’s Chief Executive said: “My colleagues and I were very impressed by the photographs, which capture images of local people and the area. The photographs will provide an excellent historic record of Fraser Avenue.”
In addition to the provision of new affordable homes, Kingdom has been working with the local community to provide a range of community benefits, including employment & training initiatives; educational programmes and arts projects.
Bill explained: “Developments such as the regeneration project at Fraser Avenue provide the opportunity to work with the local community and incorporate added social value as part programme. An example is the work we have been supporting through sponsoring Inverkeithing Arts Initiative, CIC to arrange and host Leanna’s excellent exhibition.”
The exhibition, which is hosted by Inverkeithing Arts Initiative at its Maker gallery and workshop space on Inverkeithing High Street, runs until October 5th.