Assembly Arts Gallery 9 - 22 October

In recent years grassroots music venues in the UK have been closing in large numbers.  Essential to the music scene, these safe places allow artists, promoters, technicians and others to hone their craft while having room to experiment.  These venues are also a meeting place, fertile ground for collaboration and connection.  It is important that they are protected.   Local scenes and independent music venues are both essential to the community and vital to the industry. The photographic exhibition of live performances by Ginny Koppenhol and Jamie Buttershaw feature artists, event organisers and venues in the Lancaster district. From high-energy, electrifying moments to quiet introspection, the images demonstrate the intense connection between musicians and their craft.

Ginny Koppenhol

Ginny Koppenhol is a Lancaster based portrait photographer who integrates her passion for music into her visual arts practice.  In 2022 a residency with arts organisation Quarantine allowed Ginny and DJ/visual artist Fynn Galloway to explore the ‘current state of the underground scene’ in Manchester. This experience led to Ginny’s current photographic project, creating portraits with those in the local electronic music scene. As a DJ herself, Ginny recognises the importance of exploring the prevailing musical landscape and assessing whether more can be done to help sustain it. A selection of these portraits were recently displayed as part of a digital exhibition at the Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool.

Among her varied commissioned roles Ginny is the official photographer for the Lancaster Jazz Festival. She teaches workshops and courses and has run various socially-engaged projects in schools and mental health settings, promoting the importance of play and creative experimentation through photography.

Jamie Buttershaw

Jamie Buttershaw is a Lancaster based music and events photographer who aims to capture the unique moments and emotions of live performances. With a mindful approach, he focuses on the artist’s connection to their craft. Jamie aims to depict the authentic energy and atmosphere of a performance, whether a vibrant, high-contrast show or a more passive, intimate, experience.

As one of the official photographers for Lancaster Music Festival and Morecambe Music Festival, Jamie has explored the opportunity to document a wide range of artists and venues. A pivotal moment in his journey came at the Lancaster Music Festival, where a busy and creatively rewarding weekend solidified his passion for music photography. Jamie states “I thrive on depicting the transformative power of music, when musicians are truly in their element, leaving the world behind to become something greater on stage”.  Jamie uses photography to capture those transcendent moments when musicians are deeply connecting with both their sound and their audience.