Business News
MCKENZIE CLARK SPONSORS FORMER FOOTBALLERS DEBUT PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION AT VM & DISPLAY SHOW, LONDON
Thursday 25. February 2010 - One of the UKs leading large format digital print and display companies announces sponsorship of former Liverpool midfielder and award-winning designer, Craig Johnstons first photographic exhibition
Johnstons debut collection, which officially launches his career as a professional photographer is titled “Reflections…” and is centred on a study of mannequins in shop windows. It intends to reflect an interesting and clever juxtaposition between the “perfect colourful fantasy” world created for luxury High Street brand windows and the reality of city life that reveals itself in the reflections of the glass window behind the mannequins. The mannequins and their human passers by are blended together in the reflections and give each other a meaningful and timeless context.
Craig Johnston said: “I have always been a photographer, but I have never really felt the need to display my work. However, Im very proud of this collection and believe now is the right time to unveil my photography and ambitions in this regard. Im very grateful for the support of McKenzie Clark; stand builders, Judge Gill and everyone else who has helped get me and my work to this exhibition.”
The McKenzie Clark sponsorship includes the design and construction of a fine art mannequin gallery for the exhibition, which showcases a range of full scale images of the collection. Says Graham Clark, Managing Director, Mckenzie Clark: “Were very pleased to be the exclusive sponsors of Mr Johnstons professional photography debut. Weve known Craig for some time and have always been very impressed with his photography and creative ability. I think the execution of the imagery in this collection is superb. Reflections tells a great story and one that we can all relate to and engage with, which is surely critical to being a great photographer. Im confident that this is a photographic exhibition that all art lovers and people watchers will enjoy.”
This is a point reiterated by Sandy Nairne, Director, National Portrait Gallery and John Barlow, top UK advertising photographer. Said Sandy Nairne: “These intriguing images by designer and photographer Craig Johnston draw us, as viewers, into an exploration of the complex border-line between store and street, reality and fantasy, between outer and inner worlds.”
Said John Barlow: “Technically speaking Johnstons images are superb. The statuesque presence of his mannequins can be quite monumental
and although the genre of his photography is classed as still life, there are interesting stories to be found in some of the photographs that are actually unique social commentaries on real life.”
Craig invites all visitors to the VM & Display Show at any time from the 2nd to the 4th March inclusive, and also to join him for his exhibitions official ribbon cutting ceremony at 5.30 pm on Wednesday 5th March.
As well as a long career as a professional footballer, Craig Johnston is also the inventor of the Adidas Predator football boot and a nominee for British Designer of the Year 2004.