Battle becomes outdoor gallery for our lockdown experiences

A photographic exhibition recording the lockdown experiences of the people of Battle uses the town itself as an outdoor gallery.
Battle yarn bombersBattle yarn bombers
Battle yarn bombers

The display of more 50 pictures by photographer Darren Buss under the title This is Our Battle is taking place in the open air.

Alison Steel has been working with him to collect the thoughts of Battle residents – what they have been up to during lockdown, what their overriding memories are and what lessons they’ve learned.

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“In the exhibition each photograph will have a hundred-word summary of the subject’s experiences and feelings,” Alison explains, “which illustrate very strongly an extraordinary community spirit in Battle.

“Darren’s stunning pictures and the words of local people will take pride of place at various outdoor locations in the town centre, including shop windows and special displays on Abbey Green.

Darren said: “I wanted to do something positive at the start of lockdown and began taking doorstep photographs free of charge to raise money for NHS charities.

“It quickly became clear that there was an extraordinary community spirit in Battle and that I should try to capture this moment in time for posterity. I was very keen for local people to tell their lockdown stories in their own words.

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“The exhibition title This is Our Battle sums up how proud we all are of the town and the resilience we’ve shown in coping with the pandemic, even though it has been very tough.”

The exhibition features many of the key workers, volunteers and local businesses that have kept the East Sussex town going as well as people from all walks of life who have kept up morale and helped to strengthen the community during a testing time, Alison added.

“The words accompanying the photographs highlight residents’ hopes and fears, the importance of personal relationships and community, a deep concern for the environment and a huge array of new skills and hobbies undertaken during lockdown.”

Darren aims to publish a selection of the exhibition photographs and words in a book, which will go on sale during September. A proportion of profits will go to NHS charities. The exhibition runs from September 12 to October 3 and is a free event. The exhibition website is at http://thisisourbattle.com

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