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A male dancer performs a dynamic leap in an urban setting at dusk. His muscular build is highlighted as he is shirtless, wearing only white trousers, and his motion is captured mid-air, showcasing his athleticism and grace. The backdrop features a modern apartment building with balconies and a tree-lined street, providing a stark contrast between the softness of the dance and the hardness of the urban environment. The scene is further dramatised by the evening light, casting long shadows and emphasizing the motion and emotion of the performance.
A woman stands in a busy shopping mall, accompanied by a guide dog wearing a harness. She appears calm and collected, holding the leash and a jacket. The woman is framed by the glass front of a fast-food restaurant, where a family is visible eating at a table. Behind her, the hustle and bustle of the mall continues, with various people walking and shops in the background. The scene captures a moment of daily life, blending the interaction of people, service animals, and urban surroundings.
A joyful woman, dressed in a vibrant orange dress and a colourful headscarf, stands amidst a field of towering sunflowers. She playfully interacts with the flowers, holding one large sunflower close to her face, expressing delight and admiration. The scene is set against a dramatic backdrop of a cloudy sky and rolling hills, emphasizing the natural beauty and expansiveness of the location. Her cheerful expression and dynamic pose convey a sense of happiness and connection to the environment.
A woman with styled red hair sits elegantly on a chair in a lavishly decorated room, holding a fluffy white dog. She wears a sophisticated outfit of a satin blouse and dark trousers, complemented by open-toed heels. Another small dog, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, stands attentively by her side. The opulent setting includes antique furniture, such as a long wooden table and chairs with intricate designs, ornate silver candelabras, and a large, embellished mirror reflecting a classic painting. The rich drapery and vintage carpet add to the aristocratic ambience of the scene.
A cowboy stands confidently beside his horse near a tranquil pond at sunset. He wears a black cowboy hat, a striped button-down shirt, denim jeans, and a detailed leather belt with a large buckle. Chaps with fringes adorn his legs, complementing the rustic aesthetic. His horse, equipped with a saddle and lasso, stands ready beside him. In the background, cattle graze near the water's edge, set against a vivid sky that reflects the warm glow of the evening light. The setting exudes a serene, pastoral atmosphere, capturing a quintessential rural scene.
Two older men affectionately exchange a kiss on the cheek during a celebration, each holding a champagne flute. They are dressed in smart suits, indicating a formal or special occasion. The scene unfolds in a warmly lit room filled with guests, including a woman laughing joyfully in the background and a young girl observing the moment. The interior features elegant decor such as a dark wooden display cabinet filled with ornate dishes and framed photographs that add a personal touch. This image captures a moment of affection and celebration among friends and family.

An Eye For Life: Photography by John Ferguson

29th June 2024 – 27th April 2025 at Christchurch Mansion

Celebrating themes of portraiture, identity and home, this exhibition will bring works by Ipswich-based photographer John Ferguson to the Wolsey Art Gallery.

“We constantly fail to see what sometimes is right in front of us; that there’s another world inside our own that we often overlook.”

About the Exhibition

From Bowie to Banger Racing, this new exhibition is a celebration of John Ferguson’s photographic career through the themes of portraiture, identity and home. John Ferguson is an internationally established documentary, lifestyle, and portrait photographer who lives in Ipswich. His images tell stories, which are approachable, intimate, and unaffected.

It will showcase portrait projects that John has worked on over the years, including Ipswich’s newly acquired Black Suffolk portraits funded by the Art Fund and The Friends of the Ipswich Museums. The series of 20 photographic portraits creatively explores the concept of home for a diversity of people from the African-Caribbean community who have made Suffolk their home or were born here.

John has worked in over 60 countries and covered a diverse range of photo stories from conflict zones and national disasters to promotional campaigns focusing on poverty, refugees and rural loneliness. He has photographed countless celebrities from Dolly Parton to Beyoncé. In 2005, he photographed 50 black British pioneers for the Black Britannia project, which was then collected by the National Portrait Gallery.

This is the first exhibition to explore John’s career and photography projects in Suffolk.

You can also discover more in the Mansion about Ipswich’s historic portrait collection covering 500 years of artists drawing, painting, carving and printing faces.

Exhibition Highlights 

Early Career

John began his career as a photojournalist on Fleet Street, capturing moments that defined an era. Featured in the exhibition is a compelling scrapbook showcasing images of punks, boxers, and renowned personalities from this pivotal phase of his career.

Additionally, visitors have the opportunity to discover the type of camera John employed during these iconic shoots.

A man stands in a grassy garden, his back to the camera, holding a laundry basket filled with clothes. Above him, a clothesline stretches across the scene, displaying prominently two large, colourful boxing shorts with the name "BRUNO" printed across the waistband. The background features a mix of trees and a glimpse of residential structures, under a cloudy sky. Autumn leaves scattered across the ground enhance the seasonal feel of the scene.

Celebrity Portraits

John has had the opportunity to meet and photograph many famous and interesting people during his time as a staff photographer for the Daily Mirror Newspaper. From top rock and pop musicians to film and TV stars, sportsmen and women, to politicians and Royalty. “No two days were ever the same, I’ve been very fortunate to have found a profession that I still love and enjoy today.” Visitors will be able to see Dolly Parton, Pink, The Spice Girls, Beyonce, Lewis Hamilton, David Bowie, Jamelia, The Osbornes and Tom Jones.

International Assignments

John’s work has seen him cover stories in over 60 countries, such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Asia, and South Africa, to situations in South Sudan and the Darfur region. His work has seen him travel extensively throughout Africa and Asia producing images on behalf of charities such as Save the Children, Christian Aid, the VSO and UNICEF.

A young boy stands in a muddy village, wearing an oversized dark blue blazer over a white shirt. He looks upwards with an expression of curiosity and wonder. The background is softly focused, featuring traditional thatched structures and a few people engaged in daily activities. The ground is wet and reflects the sky, suggesting recent rainfall in this rural setting.

Black Suffolk Portraits

This series of portraits was acquired for the Ipswich Borough Collection in 2023 and sparked the idea for this exhibition. Black Suffolk explores the concept of home for a diversity of people in the African-Caribbean community in Suffolk.

The theme creatively expresses people’s experience and interpretation of what exactly is home. Home can be a feeling, a physical space or a geographical place. Home can be a memory, metaphor or experience. The idea is to connect with the notion that our lives are inextricably attached to where we live, our homes, and Suffolk.

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A ballerina poses on tiptoe in a woodland pathway, wearing a white bodice and a light blue tutu. Her curly auburn hair contrasts vividly with the lush green leaves surrounding her. The sun filters through the trees, creating dappled shadows on the dirt path. The natural setting and the ballerina's attire fuse the disciplines of dance and nature in a harmonious display.

Creative Portraits

Images that make you stop, stare and explore the story behind them.

From the untold stories of Forgotten African American Cowboys, to the resilience of those Living with Albinism, and the poignant depiction of Rural Loneliness, to the adrenaline-fueled world of Ipswich’s Banger Racers.

An older man with a gentle expression and greying beard stands outdoors, wearing a fur-lined trapper hat and glasses. His rugged jacket is splattered with mud, hinting at outdoor activity. In the background, vibrant race cars and parked vans are visible, indicating the setting is likely at a motorsport event. The overcast sky and natural light create a soft, diffused illumination on the scene.

Commissions

 John has collaborated with numerous organisations, using photography to capture and convey their unique narratives.

His portfolio includes projects with entities like Suffolk Wildlife Trust, aimed at honouring the contributions of both staff and volunteers.

An elderly man with a grey beard sits on a folding stool in the middle of a grassy field. He wears a wide-brimmed hat, a grey t-shirt, and green waders. In his left hand, he holds up a red apple, inspecting it closely, while his right hand rests on his knee. Surrounding him are various items, including a net, a brown bag, a white container, and a few plastic boxes with small items inside. The sky above is overcast with thick, grey clouds, giving the scene a moody atmosphere.

Suffolk Creatives

A new collection of photographs showcasing female creators highlights talented women from our county, from poets and painters to sculptors and saddle makers. The aim of the ‘Suffolk Creatives’ project was to start to address the current absence of a singular body of work that celebrates and recognises the diversity, impact and influence of female Suffolk artists.

The project has been generously supported by public funding from Arts Council England.

A craftsperson working in a saddle-making workshop, threading yellow string through a piece of black leather. The person, wearing a navy polo shirt and a grey headscarf, smiles as they hold a needle aloft. The workspace is cluttered with tools, materials, and equipment, including hammers, awls, spools, and leather pieces, spread across a well-worn wooden table. Saddles hang on the wall behind, along with a "Mind the step" safety sign. A sewing machine and additional tools sit on a side bench. Sunlight streams in through a large window on the right, illuminating the lively and industrious atmosphere of the workshop.

Discover More

Follow us on social media for more insight into the exhibition and updates on upcoming events.

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Events

Check out our events calendar to find out what’s on during An Eye For Life: Photography by John Ferguson.

We also have a range of resources to support teachers and home educators to help bring your lessons to life.
For additional resources, don’t forget to visit our Resources page.

A silhouette of a person taking a photograph with a camera against a sunset backdrop. The sky transitions from deep blue to warm orange near the horizon. Text on the right reads "Photography Skills Composition Challenge" with "Photography Skills" in orange and "Composition Challenge" in large blue letters. In the bottom left corner, a logo with the text "AN EYE FOR LIFE" in red and black, and below it, "Photography by John Ferguson" in black.

Composition Challenge

This resource is designed to enhance photography skills through focused composition techniques. It introduces practical methods to inspire photographers to become more intentional in capturing images.

Download
Scattered Scrabble tiles on a light surface with some letters facing up. Text on the right reads "Fun with Photography A-Z Challenge" with "Fun with Photography" in orange and "A-Z Challenge" in large blue letters. In the bottom right corner, a logo with the text "AN EYE FOR LIFE" in red and black, and below it, "Photography by John Ferguson" in black.

A-Z Challenge

This resource is designed to inspire photographers to capture the world around them by finding objects corresponding to each letter of the alphabet. It includes tips to enhance photographic skills.

Download
White daisies casting distinct shadows against a light background. Text above the daisies reads "Catching Shadows" in orange and "Natural Photography" in large blue letters. The "AN EYE FOR LIFE" logo by John Ferguson is in the bottom left corner.

Natural Photography

This educational tool engages users in hands-on learning while exploring the intersection of nature and photography. It educates participants on the chemical properties of natural dyes and historical techniques of image making. 

Download
A camera on a tripod is set up in a professional studio with softbox lights in the background. Text above reads "Photography Skills Portrait Challenge" with "Photography Skills" in orange and "Portrait Challenge" in large blue letters. The "AN EYE FOR LIFE" logo by John Ferguson is in the bottom left corner.

Portrait Challenge

This resource focuses on photography skills, focusing on creating powerful and emotionally engaging portraits. The series teaches critical photographic elements, encouraging photographers to consider all aspects of the environment and subject to capture compelling images.

Download
A collage of five photographs displayed within a film strip frame, laid out on a wooden surface. Top left: An elderly man in a blue suit stands against a blackboard with mathematical notations, accompanied by two young children in school uniforms, in a classroom with brick walls. Top right: A woman with blonde hair sits in a car at night, illuminated by streetlights, wearing a dark jacket and looking out the window. Bottom left: A woman wearing a striped shirt and holding a camera stands near a body of water with a bridge in the background. Bottom center: A man dressed as a cowboy, with a wide-brimmed hat, stands beside a horse saddle near a calm body of water, set in a grassy landscape under a clear sky. Bottom right: A man mid-jump performs a ballet pose in an urban setting, with a modern building and trees in the background.

John Ferguson Exhibition Pack

Information about images from the exhibition, An Eye for Life, aimed at GCSE/A-Level students to support their learning in art and photography courses and anyone else interested in photography as a medium.

Download Photos
Download PDF
Text-based graphic with a distressed black background and bold white text. The main heading reads “CREATIVE PROMPTS” in large, angular capital letters. Below it, smaller text says “INSPIRED BY 'AN EYE FOR LIFE’ PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN FERGUSON.” At the bottom, in a finer font, it states “CELEBRATING THEMES OF PORTRAITURE, IDENTITY & HOME.” The design evokes a gritty, artistic aesthetic suitable for creative or educational contexts.

Creative Prompts
Inspired by ‘An Eye for Life’

Created by Rock Paper Scissors, this pack includes activities related to observing and drawing, with cross-curricular links to Art and Design, History, and English.

Download PDF

Plan Your Visit

A grand historic building featuring intricate red brickwork, adorned with unique patterns and white trimming around its windows. The entrance boasts classical white columns, leading up to a door beneath a decorative pediment with a clock centred just above it. The structure's symmetrical architecture is highlighted by a series of white-framed windows, set under a gabled roof with ornamental detailing. The scene is set against a backdrop of a partly cloudy sky, and a well-manicured lawn foregrounds the building, suggesting a well-preserved heritage site.

When: 29th June 2024 – 27th April 2025

Where: Christchurch Mansion

Tickets: The exhibition is free to visit, no booking required

Our exhibitions are held in the Wolsey Art Gallery of Christchurch Mansion. Once you’ve taken in the exhibition, the rest of the Mansion is open for you to explore for free as well.

Visit the Christchurch Mansion page on our website for further information about facilities and accessibility.

Opening Times:

Tuesday – Saturday
10am – 4pm (November – February)
10am – 5pm (March – October)

Sunday
11am – 4pm (November – February)
11am – 5pm (March – October)

Mondays closed

Access

A colour photograph of the Great Hall inside Christchurch Mansion. The floor is covered in black and white square tiles. To the right is a large, black fireplace with a gold-framed portrait hung above it. The painting is of a white man wearing a wig. To the left, archways lead to the museum shop and other ground floor galleries.

Every effort has been made to make Christchurch Mansion a great place to visit for everybody. However, as a Grade I listed building with multiple floor levels providing access to all areas is difficult.

From inside the Mansion, the route to the gallery involves a short flight of steps. An accessible entrance is located from the Gallery’s garden which staff can open for visitors needing level access, and staff will be happy to point out the route to these doors.

For further information, visit our access page.

Thank You

The image features a graphic logo for

Kerseys Solicitors, a distinguished firm founded in 1881, has offices in Ipswich, Felixstowe, and Colchester. With a rich heritage, they specialise in providing tailored legal services to individuals, families, and businesses.

Friends of Ipswich Museums is a registered charity that promotes the wider knowledge, appreciation, and enjoyment of the art and collections housed in the Museum’s sites within Ipswich and helps with acquisitions and exhibitions. It supports a fascinating and unique museum complex: Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich Museum, and the Old Art School Gallery.

Founded in 1903, Art Fund has been bringing people and museums together to share in great art and culture for 120 years. During that time, they’ve helped museums across the UK build their collections, keep them accessible to the public, and do much more to inspire their audiences.

Logo of Arts Council England, featuring a hand-drawn, cartoonish hand with a pointing finger and eyes, accompanied by the text

Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. It has set out its strategic vision in Let’s Create, aiming for England to be a country by 2030 where the creativity of each individual is valued and given the chance to flourish. Their goal is for everyone to have access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences. Arts Council England invests public money from the Government and The National Lottery to support the sector and deliver this vision.

Where will your adventure start?