Photographer's Cathartic Covid Images To Go On Show

Friday, 21 August 2020 20:28

Dr. Ben Rogers. Credit: Dasa Wharton Photography

A local photographer who suffered the heartbreak of losing her dad during the coronavirus crisis has created 30 large pieces of work to celebrate the effort of Jersey's community and key-workers throughout the pandemic.

They will be shown off in an open-air installation through St Helier between the end of September and November.

Dasa Wharton wasn't able to see her mum in Prague when her dad passed away because of travel restrictions at the time.

As she was stuck on-island, she tells Channel 103 that she decided to start photographing people to 'keep her sanity'.

"At a time of desperation, I was looking for strength and I naturally was attracted to key and essential workers, to people who went through their work despite all the dangers of the infection.

"They let me into their lives. I spent two days in the hospital for example, one of the doctors allowed me to go with her to the operating theatre so I really had the chance to photograph behind the scenes.

"People let me into their private places and I always massively value that and in a way its the biggest compliment I could ever get."

They will be shown off in an open-air installation through St Helier between the end of September and November.

It's set to start in the Royal Square, appear in two or three as yet undecided town locations, before returning to where it started.

It will be free to visit, but physical distancing rules will have to be adhered to.

"The Parish of St Helier wants to encourage and facilitate this kind of artistic event in the town centre so that a trip into St Helier offers more than great shopping opportunities. Photography is an ideal art form to get people talking and to add value to a Town visit." - Constable Simon Crowcroft.