Photography By Robert Iddon

Kif Gallery, Wood Street
16th September - 14th October 2005

Reviewed By Kenn Taylor

Liverpool photographer Robert Iddon brings together a collection of pictures capturing his views while travelling to various protests and demonstrations up and down the land, including anti Iraq war demonstrations and many shots of the anti-G8 protests in Stirling and Edinburgh.

This small show - perfectly suited to the space at the Kif - is for Robert a demonstration of what he witnessed first hand: “The subjugation and controls brought on protestors and the fear brought about by the police”.

The most striking element of the exhibition is the contrast between the images of the police - stern, monotone, almost identical - and the technicolour clothes and banners amongst the diversity and smiles of the protesters.

A few particularly poignant images stand out, such as ‘Out of place, out of time’ - a well-captured shot of military helicopters flying over the Make Poverty History bus amongst the Scottish hills, and a picture of protesters looking subdued after hearing the news of the 7/7 bombings in London.

The exhibition contains both well captured documentary shots and manipulated images where Robert stresses his point about the forces facing protestors. This is a very powerful demonstration.

The exhibition at the Kif also includes photographs from Kashmir by Dom Mezzone and paintings by James Pagella.