A pair of lady photographers are currently holding exhibitions at Dimbola Museum and Galleries in Freshwater.
Sheila Rock first came to the UK from the United States in 1970 and settled in London.
Photography became her passion and career, after she was encouraged by the spirit of creativity surrounding the art scene in the capital in the early 70s.
Sheila said she was privileged to be at the home of Julia Margaret Cameron once again, revealing that she actually stayed at Dimbola in 1972 on her honeymoon. Having established herself in her art, a number of commissions came her way, hence her body of work, some of which is on view at Dimbola.
Among the music artistes featured are the Island’s own Mark King (Level 42), Billy Idol, The Stranglers, Bryan Ferry, Sting, The Clash, Visage, U.2, Siouxsie Sioux and Pet Shop Boys.
Sheila has also mounted a sample of her portfolio, ‘The British by the Sea’, compiled from examples of Brits at the seaside, as a stand-alone companion exhibition.
Kathleen Holloway’s show sees her imagining the world of an elderly sailor who has dementia. ‘Sea Change’ is based on the life of Terry Holloway, Kathleen’s father-in-law.
Terry spent half of his working life at sea, beginning with paddle steamers, before a spell in the Merchant Navy. He became a steward on larger ships such as ‘Queen Mary’. When he married in 1970, these long trips ceased, and he settled in Wareham, becoming a father to three children.
Most of the next 50 years he sailed the South Coast of England, sometimes venturing farther afield aboard his beloved yacht, the ‘Emma Clair’.
Ten years ago Terry was diagnosed with dementia, which resulted in him being confused over recent events, but able to clearly recall memories of years gone by-particularly his maritime experiences. Terry died at the turn of the year but his memories have inspired Kathleen.
At the opening of these summer events, which run until 7th September, Dr. Brian Hinton and Julian Bell thanked the Dimbola staff and volunteers for staging the exhibitions and Sheila and Kathleen for presenting their work.
