**Head to the first floor and ground floor of the rail end to see the full exhibition for yourself!**
A new brand photography exhibition has been unveiled at Frenchgate Shopping Centre which is celebrating Doncaster’s love of literature.
Doncaster-based advertising photographer Jamie Bubb has curated the exhibition, entitled The Books That Made Us. The exhibition explores the special relationship we have with literature through 25 portraits of Doncaster folk in and around the town.
Among those included are legendary Yorkshire poet Ian McMillan who has showcased a new piece of work in the exhibition “This is A Town”, which is on display in the Centre’s Art Sapce at the rail end of Frenchgate.
Ian McMillan is a writer and broadcaster who presents The Verb on BBC Radio 3. Ian is poet-in-residence for The Academy of Urbanism and Barnsley FC. Previously, he was resident poet for English National Opera, UK Trade & Investment, Yorkshire TV’s Investigative Poet and Humberside Police’s Beat Poet.
Photographer Jamie Bubb said: “I'm really excited to be showing this work in Doncaster and to be working in partnership with the wonderful team at the Frenchgate without whose support this exhibition would not have happened.
“We all have a book, 'that' book, the one that changed us, our thinking, our outlook, our perspective. Perhaps it made us laugh when we hadn't had much to laugh about for a while or maybe it made us cry for all the right reasons. It caught us just at the right time, the right age, and it spoke to you.
“I've tried to explore that special relationship we have with literature in these portraits of Doncaster folks in and around our town. If you haven't found 'that' book yet, I hope these images and stories convince you it's worth looking for.
“This project is a celebration of literature, art and my hometown, I hope the people of Doncaster engage with and enjoy the work as much as I did when creating it.”
Frenchgate General Manager, Karen Staniforth said: “Here at Frenchgate we are passionate about creating a multi-sensory experience for our customers.
“We have hosted a summer-long literacy festival at Frenchgate and the exhibition launch is our spotlight event.
“It really is a fantastic addition to our Town and something for the people Doncaster to be proud of and I would encourage people to come and see Jamie and Ian’s inspirational work.”
Juliet Farrar, Executive Director of DONCASTER CREATES, added: " In a challenging year It was wonderful that Doncaster was chosen as the out of London partner for the Booker Prize 2020".
“Following a series of events with international Booker authors alongside local writers and book enthusiasts, Doncaster Creates is working with Frenchgate and others to continue the 'good book, great stories' vibe through 'just drop-in' activities.
“We're encouraging children to write and read with their families and friends - making essential skills fun through memorable encounters with local artists and organisations such as ReRead (distributing pre-loved books) - stories bring us together in many ways".
