Artist Statement
By Chris Webb
This exhibition brings together two strands of my photographic work, both rooted in a deep connection to people and place.
The first room features an ongoing project, Portraits from Wirksworth.
Inspired by a visit to Skagen in northern Denmark — where, in the mid-1800s, a community of artists created work that reflected both local people and their own circle.
I set out to make portraits of those whose often unseen efforts help shape and support the town. These images aim to acknowledge their presence with honesty and respect.
In contrast, the second room presents Into the Mystic. Landscapes that veer into the not-quite-real, layered with texture, atmosphere, and emotion. Each piece is shaped not only by what I saw, but by how the place felt: often dramatic, sometimes unfamiliar, and always evocative.
Together, these two rooms explore different ways of engaging with the world: through local connection and shared community, and through travel, observation, and creative interpretation.
