© Mick Williamson spoke at Photology 2022 about The Diaries of Mick Williamson .

Welcome return to Photology as part of PhotoHastings

October is Photography time in Hastings. PhotoHastings is showing its vibrant colours this month, an important part of which is the inclusion of the much loved and respected Photology, first instigated by Alex Brattell in May 2012.

Photology has been featuring photographers, curators and film makers for eleven years. For the first three it was held monthly, since then it has been a strong feature of PhotoHastings Photography Festival, The inspiration for it came some years back, when Alex used to go to Greenwich on Monday evenings and attend a lecture, Philosoform, which was somewhere to go and meet other curious, like-minded thinkers.

© Terry Baker/Jere Harshman 1993 The inspiration behind Photology

When the time of austerity landed and work gradually became a little scarce, “I realised I hadn’t been to a talk or lecture for too long, which wasn’t one of my own.”  The lateral solution was to pursue his hobby of researching, broadening his photography knowledge – which is pretty comprehensive – when his thoughts turned to the Mitre pub talks in Greenwich. Tweaking that model, Photology, together with its odd name, was launched in May 2012; the premise being of holding regular meetings at an affordable price, having a talk about the photographer’s work with slides, an interval (for buying drinks) and a Q&A or further discussion in the second part. And, importantly, meeting people, talking about photography, anything and everything and, of course, having a convivial pint.

He discovered, although he knew already, he was well connected to a strong photography community– related artists, photographers, film makers, curators – many of which are based in Hastings. And those who weren’t seemed to have connections here, or were intrigued enough at the idea of Hastings to want to come down. It certainly wasn’t a fat fee – the fee was the total take on the night. To begin with it was held in The Bullet café basement, entry fee £3.00 – now £5.00 – moving to various pubs around town. The only proviso being to reward the pubs for their hospitality by buying drinks.

The subjects covered have been diverse, wild and wonderful: Mark Power photographing all the places named in The Shipping Forecast; Steve McCloud Master Printer and Creative director of Metro Imaging; Sean O’Hagan writer; Tony Penrose talked about his mother, Lee Miller, model, war photographer and friend of artists such as Picasso, Max Ernst and Man Ray; John Stezaker, surrealist maker of collages from found materials. This season ranges from a still life photographer and film maker, a cultural historian and polar photographer.

Prof Ben Burbridge signifying British Art Remembers Rave. Photology Oct 2022 © Alex Brattell

The format, and the calibre of guest, proved extremely popular, which has persuaded people out on Monday nights even in severe weather.  No one, and particularly Alex himself suspected the talks would still be going in 2023 – although they were suspended in 2020 due to lockdown. From 2016, the monthly sessions shrunk to fit into the PhotoHastings Festival period of four or five weeks in October.

Alex  puts the success of Photology down to “the warmth and friendliness of the arts and media community here in Hastings and is testament to the generosity of what we have here in this town; that kindness and benevolence also extends to the success  and longevity of the PhotoHastings Festival.”

On Monday 2 October: Richard Butchins, photographer and filmmaker. 9 October: Emily Allchuch Artist. 16 October: Prof Annebella Pollen, cultural historian. 23 October: Arpita Shah, Photographer.  30 October: Martin Hartley, photographer

Photology is on Monday 8-10pm at The Pig, 37 White Rock, Hastings   TN34 1JL  Entry fee £5.00 cash. Further information on Facebook.

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