Art / Photography
Inside Pit Lad’s ‘authentic and raw’ exhibition
A photographer who has painted the landscape of Bristol through the eyes of the city’s underbelly is showcasing his work at Jamaica Street Studios till Saturday.
Pit Lad is a Bristol-based documentary photographer whose work encompasses everyday life, social issues and political movements.
His photo book Pit Lad Vol. 1, copies of which are for sale at the exhibition, read:“Whether on East Street in Bedminster or at College Green at a rally, it’s the same outlook, being open and present to the reality in front of him. Capturing the authentic essence, uncontrived and raw.
is needed now More than ever
“In a world that’s becoming increasingly obsessed with simulated artificial moments, Pit Lad aspires to show reality, in all its messy glory, the beautiful and the ugly.”
From Kill the Bill to the far-right, there were moving photographs of every protest in the city
Displayed are photographs that trace back to 2019, with some more recent additions – all set to capture organic moments of human connection.
Pit Lad’s photography is focused on what he has referred to as the “diverse masses”, in simple yet thought-provoking shots of individuals as their authentic selves in their natural environment, whether that be in a local cafe or sitting on a park bench.
Pit Lad empathetically portrays a range communities that are frequently stigmatised by wider society: homeless persons, heroine addicts, or drag queens.
The exhibition is split into sections based on different Bristol neighbourhoods and socio-political topics, each with a written entry by the photographer himself.
A special section dedicated to Bristol Outreach Services for the Homeless was on display
There are segments that pay tribute to Pit Lad’s love of Stokes Croft and East Street, Bedminster.
Pit Lad colourfully describes Stokes Croft as “Little London” and praises the resilience of Turbo Island as a community space.
The second part of the exhibition celebrates civil resistance. Pit Lad has pictures from most protests that took place in the city.
Pit Lad also shines a light on the laudable work of Bristol Outreach Services for the Homeless (BOSH).
The exhibition showcases the results of a creative workshop Pit Lad organised in conjunction with BOSH, wherein he gave ten homeless men and women disposable cameras to document their lives.
One could vividly feel the collective openness in that room on Jamaica Street.
All photos: George Dean
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