The Green Road Between Two Woods - an evening with Andrew Rafferty
Andrew Raffety; photographer, head teacher, and polymath. He may disagree with that last adjective but Andrew's knowledge of ancient history, presenting and photography is immense.
He began his presentation by sketching out his childhood where cameras were extensively used by mum and dad and his brothers and sister. An early lesson in understanding camera technique, film work and getting film developed by Boots the Chemist! There are too many things to photograph - what you need is a project.
He trained to be a teacher, he fell in with a 'witch', she had divining rods, so together they visited megalithic spiritual sights, and he began to build a body of work. He felt that a series of images should form a narrative and could be accompanied by words. This belief led to an association with Kevin Crossly-Holland, an author and poet, who eventually wrote the words for Andrew's publication The Stones Remain, now both available as a printed book and an ibook.
In the early 90's Andrew teamed up with the travel writer David Craig. Dave was a keen rock climber as well as a poet and travel writer and some of his best friends were accomplished climbers. Andrew travelled with Dave on the British leg of his epic journey, 'entering' through Durdle Door in Dorset and travelling through Britain to the Shetland Isles and 'exiting' through the arch of Dore Holm.
In 1998, the discovery of Seahenge on the foreshore near Holme in North Norfolk caused great excitement. It was a circle of 55 split oak trunks, and at its centre - a huge oak stump, upside down. What was it for? A place where body and spirit meet? A mortuary? A site for sky-burials? In a collaboration with Kevin Crossley-Holland using Holland's poem, which approaches Seahenge along the lcknield Way and Peddar's Way plus Rafferty’s images, taken along the ancient pathways, the book Seahenge: A Journey was born.
Andrew recounted his work as the official photographer during the construction of London City Hall including his meeting with the architect! And other work with Ernst and Young. Both offering tremendous photo opportunities including working from a bucket attached to a crane!
Andrew concluded his presentation with a short video of his work. An entrancing and enchanting evening. Our thanks to Andrew.
copyright Andrew Rafferty