Ron Davies, LBIPP., is an established professional commercial and fine art photographer who has been based in Crosby, near Liverpool, for over thirty years. He has self published five calendars to date featuring Antony Gormley's Another Place and this has proved to be a very popular item both with locals and visitors from around the world.
Ron has been photographing the iron men of Antony Gormley's Another Place at every opportunity since their
installation on Crosby beach in July 2005, endeavouring to capture the spirit and very essence of the sculpture by using the figures as foreground objects against the dramatic weather conditions and skies that are experienced along this part of the coast. Some of the images portray a lonely figure standing firm against the elements, whilst others capture the haunting beauty and silence of twilight on the beach, the iron sculptures being a perfect portrayal of art and nature in harmony.
"Six years have now passed since the figures were first installed on the beach, six years in which the iron men have
weathered the elements, perhaps rustier than they were and some have had their shape altered and covered by barnacles; but still they stand as a monument to our own imagination. The beach changes with the tides, the level of the sand rises and falls with wind and wave erosion resulting in some of the figures becoming more deeply embedded into the sand, others now stand proud on their plinth, raised above the beach. We can make of them what we will, their mere presence inspires our imagination as they interact with the landscape around us. As you will see from these images, the landscape is ever changing and a little time spent strolling along the promenade or amongst the sculptures on the beach away from the busier areas will reward the even the most casual visitor with their own unique experience and emotions of Another Place.
The sculptures bring people to the beach, they are a magnet, attracting us out into the open air to enjoy the landscape with them. If it were not for the iron men many people would not have discovered the joys of walking along the beach and seeing the wonderful skies and sunsets that we are privileged to enjoy along this part of the coast. We should be proud of our world famous attraction and honoured that our local beach was chosen as a site for this art installation.
This last year has been a year of extremes on Crosby beach, we have had the coldest weather on record with several inches of snow falling in December. There were a few memorable very hot days but the biggest feature this year seems to have been the wind. Days of strong winds which whip salty spray across the beach and promenade can be exhilarating if you are wrapped up against the elements. I usually go down at high tide on days like this to capture the interaction between the waves and the sculptures. I love the way the iron men stand proud of the foaming seas, appearing to be watching the ships putting out to sea as spray bursts over their bows. The roar of the waves, sparkling as patches of sunlight race across the surface of the rough sea, the solidity of the sculptures and the poignancy of ships leaving port are an inspiring combination, a living, breathing outdoor art gallery.
I have been inspired by quiet dawns, watching as the distant Welsh hills are revealed through swathes of mist, sunlight slowly creeping across the beach to catch the iron figures, revealing their rusty red surface; days of unbelievable calm, the surface of the water limp and glowing with colour as the light of an evening sky reflects off the surface, and a memorable winter sunset, when the sky was blazing with crimson light, the earth sandwiched between elements of fire and water and watched over by the iron men.
I hope you enjoy the images on this blog and that they bring home to you some of the experiences and emotions
that I have felt whilst down on the beach amongst the sculptures. Perhaps they will also inspire you to visit the iron men of Crosby Beach.
Due acknowledgment must be given to Antony Gormley for the inspiration and pleasure that his art has provided.”
To view the full gallery of Ron's pictures of Another Place go to www.anotherplacepictures.com
To view the full gallery of Ron's pictures of Another Place go to www.anotherplacepictures.com
