Faces of Redruth: Rare Glimpse Into Rural Life Revealed in New Exhibition

Powerful portraits capture the town and its people

A new exhibition featuring portraits of Redruth residents is set to offer a unique window into the town’s character and community. Colin Robins and Oliver Udy, both Cornwall-based photographers, have curated the exhibition as part of their long-running Anthology of Rural Life project.

The display, titled Redruth Photographs, will run from 10th to 24th May, open on Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 5pm, or by appointment. A special Private View event will take place on Friday 9th May from 7pm to 9pm, with all welcome to attend.

A fresh look at Redruth

The portraits offer a descriptive and understated view of Redruth today, carefully avoiding clichés of rural romanticism. The photographers describe their work as “gently mapping” both the people and places they encounter, placing emphasis on individuals and their stories.

The new photographs complement a similar collection made in the town in 1999, which featured in the Cornish Vernacular Photography Studies 1940 / 1990 exhibition at AH in 2022. This latest work presents a broad cross-section of people from those born and raised in Redruth to newcomers who now call the town home.

📷Image : Colin Robins

A European project with local roots

Colin and Oliver have been collaborating on the Anthology of Rural Life project for over ten years. Their work, which blends artistic practice with investigative documentary photography, has already taken them across Europe to countries such as Finland, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Turkey and Portugal.

The Redruth Photographs exhibition has been developed in partnership with Auction House Gallery, Back Lane West, and as part of the ABC Project alongside CMR. It is supported by Plymouth University, Falmouth University, Cornwall Council’s Library and Archive Services, and Redruth Town Council.

Once the exhibition ends, the portraits will be archived at Kresen Kernow as a permanent social and historical record.

📷Image : Colin Robins