Local artist and photographer John Byford created and installed the art exhibition as part of a celebration event in Skegness’s twin town - Bad Gandersheim.
Her / Sie brings together portraits of women born in different decades, from the 1930s through to the 2000s. Coming from a wide range of backgrounds, each woman has her own personal story to tell.
The portraits were displayed in a blue telephone box in the town - a gift from Skegness back in 2015. A selection of 14 portraits were also produced as large-scale prints and hung among the trees in the German town’s park. Visitors were invited to scan QR codes on each portrait to discover the stories behind the women.
“The stories carry a wide range of emotions,” said John. “They speak of sadness and happiness, love and loss, difficult childhoods and new beginnings, as well as the strength and resilience shown by the women throughout their lives.
“It has been wonderful to watch people stop, look at the portraits and then use the QR codes to learn more about the women and their lives. The project is about far more than photographs. It is about giving these women a voice and allowing people in another country to connect with their stories.”
The exhibition is part of Roswitha Fest, a festival celebrating the life and work of Roswitha, one of Germany’s earliest female poets.
Mayor of Segness, Dan Kirk, was one of those to travel out to see the exhibition. “What I did not expect was the sheer number of people who had taken the time to read the stories and engage with the exhibition. The appreciation shown by the German people was truly remarkable. I was both pleased and overwhelmed by the civic pride shown by attendees and by the positive reception given to this installation.”
“The response has been incredible,” John adds. “It has helped raise the profile of both Skegness and Bad Gandersheim, but more importantly, it shows how art and personal stories can bring people together.”
The Her / Sie project has now been turned into a book. It was placed inside the telephone box – which functions as a local book swap.
“After six months of photographs, conversations, stories, planning and quite a few moments of wondering whether I would actually get everything finished in time,” said John. “It’s a very special feeling to finally hold this book in my hands.”
He added: “My thanks go to the 23 remarkable women who trusted me with their photographs and, more importantly, their stories.”
Both parts of the exhibition will remain on display throughout the autumn. The portraits and stories can be discovered online at roswitha.co.uk
5. Her / Sie
A QR code on each portrait allows people to read each of the women's personal stories. Photo: John Byford
6. Her / Sie
The blue telephone box also functions as a book swap hub. Photo: John Byford
7. Her / Sie
Skegness artist and photographer John Byford had to clamber up a few trees in order to hang the portraits. Photo: Supplied
8. Her / Sie
Left: John Byford pictured during the installation at the telephone box, and right: climbing trees to hang some of the portraits. Photo: Supplied