Galleries - September 2019

David Spero Settlements 20 July – 8 September 2019 Kestle Barton Manaccan Helston Cornwall TR12 6HU 01326 231 811 info@kestlebarton.co.uk www.kestlebarton.co.uk David Spero has developed a number of highly distinctive bodies of work that distil various photographic traditions and approaches, from documentary to photo-sculpture, forming a rich and multi-faceted practice which overall maintains a quiet and contemplative enquiry. (David Chandler) Settlements is a photographic record of self-built homes and structures in a small number of low impact land- based communities in Britain that explores ecologically sustainable ways of living. Taken between 2004-2018, the images chart a period in the evolution of these communities through their homes, communal spaces, infrastructure, growing areas and a number of community portraits, taken at intervals. The photographs centre around four settlements: Steward Community Woodland, Brithdir Mawr, Tinkers Bubble and Landmatters. Settlements was self published as a book in February 2017. It was first exhibited at the Photographers Gallery London in 2006 and was later included in How we are: Photographing Britain at Tate Britain in 2007. Spero published his first book Churches with SteidlMACK in 2007, a photographic survey of evangelical churches in the London area, housed in buildings never intended for worship. The series was exhibited at The National Media Museum Bradford in 2011. His work also includes Ball Photographs , in which rubber balls are placed into existing spaces, creating subtle forms which disrupt and transform the process of viewing and more recently Balls, Wood and Audiotape . Spero was the inaugural PhotoWorks Fellow at The British School at Rome in 2009. His work is in various collections including the British Council, The National Media Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. This exhibition is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Kestle Barton is open 10.30am–5pm Tuesday–Sunday, also Bank Holiday Mondays Top left image: David Spero Communal ‘Roundhouse’ and kitchen, Tinkers Bubble, Somerset, February 2006 Roundwood timber-frame roundhouse and connected kitchen, with thatched roof and waney board cladding. Constructed 1995-2000 Bottom right image: David Spero Josh, Selena and Sasha’s, Landmatters, Devon, May 2008 Canvas-covered hazel pole bender. Constructed 2005