Posted 16 October

With OVER THE HILLS AND SEAS currently on show at Regency Town House as part of BPF18, we catch-up up with Tim Andrews to discuss the exhibition, how photography connects us and the legacy of this poignant project.

Q: Could you tell us about how OVER THE HILLS & SEAS currentlyexhibited at Regency Town House, came about ?

A: l saw that MiniClick had arranged a talk in Sheffield some months ago with Al Brydon, the great landscape photographer, as one of the speakers. Al had photographed me several times as part of my "Over the Hill" project which ran from 2007 to 2016. l suggested a similar talk in Brighton to Jim Stephenson who runs MiniClick where the subject would be how, if at all, landscape photographers adapted their approach to photographing a person ie me! Jim thought it would be good to combine this with an exhibition and, as the Brighton Photo Fringe was due this year, l decided to have an exhibitIon of photographs by landscape photographers who had photographed me as part of "Over the Hill" and afterwards. Then l thought l would include seascapes and then brought in photographs which showed other landscapes eg of the brain (Martha Orbach) and the body (Thea Lovering) as well as photos where the environment was an integral to the composition of the photograph (Clare Park). ln the end, l had 32 photographs which satisfied these rather mixed criteria.

Q: Is there any particular theme from within the project you particularly enjoyed or you'd like to explore further?

A: Yes, l have always enjoyed the relationship which l have built up with the photographers l have worked with and, although, l brought "Over the Hill" to an end two years ago, l do want to continue to work with people and examine he emotional and intellectual connection l have with them.

Q: From your experience with this project, how do you feel photography connects us?

A: What surprised me from the very beginning of "Over the hill" was the amount of time and thought invested by the photographers in finding out what made me tick. Photography is a very intimate exercise and that connection continues long after the shoot has taken place.

Q: Are people able to buy prints from this series?

A: Yes, if anyone wishes to buy one, l shall put them in touch with the photographer concerned All the photographers have indicated that a percentage of any profit would be paid to charity.

Q: Who can get involved with this project and support?

A: if any photographer is interested then l would be happy to hear from them if they want to know more about it. They can support the project by coming to the exhibition and buying one of the wonderful catalogues which have been printed ans which contain great prints of all the photographs in the show with pieces written by me and each photographers - all the proceeds will go to charity. Also, there will be a panel discussion at 6pm on Wednesday 17th October next at the Regency Town House in Hove where l shall be speaking and will be joined by Valda Bailey, Elissa Jane Diver, Rob Hudson, Rachel Maloney, Mirja Paljakka and Stephen Segasby who will talk about their experience of photographing me.

Q: What’s next for this body of work?

A: Well, a book and an exhibition of all 425 photographs in "Over the Hill" wouldn't be bad but it needs funding and physical help because l have limited funds and l'm knackered!

Tim will be joined by a few of the photographers this Wednesday 18 October at Regency Town House for a panel discussion taking place at 18:00 -20:00. Free but spaces are limited RSVP HERE

Go behind the scenes with making of the latest series and learn more on the project here.

OVER THE HILSS AND SEAS Photographers:

Samin Ahmadzadeh

Joan Alexander

Valda Bailey

Alex Bamford

Jacqui Booth

Alex Boyd

Linda Brownlee

Al Brydon

Joanne Coates

Elissa Jane Diver

Sara Gaynor

Michela Griffith

Annette Habel

Amanda Harman

Julia Horbaschk

Rob Hudson

Max Langran

Thea Lovering

Rachel Maloney

Denise Myers

Martha Orbach

Mirja Paljakka

Clare Park

Wendy Pye

Simon Roberts

Tina Rowe

Stephen Segasby

Brian David Stevens

David Wares

Hannah Wirgman

Joseph Wright