A Labouring Life - RSA Version Galore

Created for the RSA Version Galore exhibition, A Labouring Life is a photographic reinterpretation of Patrick Hennessy’s A Still Life (1939). Drawing on Hennessy’s civic pride, the work reflects the spirit of my hometown, Newcastle Upon Tyne—featuring nods to Greggs, Newcastle Brown Ale, the blue-collar workforce, and the steel industry.

The final piece is an A2 Hahnemühle gloss rag print mounted on stainless steel sourced from Newcastle. Through a blend of digital manipulation and carefully staged composition, I created a surreal still life that reimagines Hennessy’s painting in a modern context. This project expanded my creative approach and has been a highlight of my time at ECA—opening up new directions for my artistic practice beyond university.