News

Thought-provoking photography exhibition opens in Stockton

(3 August 2009)

Photographer Andrew Heptinstall

A new exhibition of thought-provoking photographs is hosted by Durham University’s Queen’s Campus, Stockton.

The images, created by North East photographer, Andrew Heptinstall, were commissioned to illustrate the pioneering book 'Thinking About Almost Everything', launched earlier this year by the University’s flagship, ideas-based Institute of Advanced Study (IAS). The book, which takes inspiration for its title from Bill Bryson’s book ‘A Short History of Nearly Everything', explores an array of the world’s most challenging issues through essays by leading academics in the arts, sciences and humanities. It is now in its second print run and will soon be launched in the USA and Canada. Andrew’s contemporary images imaginatively illustrate the book’s major topics including racism, climate change, stem cells and immortality. In his image representing the essay ‘Anyone for immortality’, Heptinstall has merged the faces of his son and his mother to create a new face communicating both elderliness and youth. The free exhibition is held on the Upper Rotunda of the Holliday Building, Queen’s Campus, Stockton, and is now open to the public from 9am to 9pm until Wednesday September 30. David Fionda, Queen’s Campus Operations Director, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting this wonderful exhibition. “Not only do the images show really creative photography, they’re also very provocative in the way they interpret the topics of the book.” Andrew Heptinstall said: “The chance to work with Durham University and best-selling author and Chancellor Bill Bryson was one of my toughest, yet most rewarding challenges in 24 years as a professional photographer. “Creating the images to accompany such a book meant I also needed to do some serious thinking of my own. “I am very grateful to the University for giving me the opportunity to take on such a challenging commission and would love to secure more cerebral challenges like this which really stretch me both mentally and technically.” You can also buy a copy of ‘Thinking About Almost Everything' at http://www.durham.ac.uk/thinking For more information contact Andrea Hagan on 0191 33 40020, email: andrea.hagan@durham.ac.uk.