Picturing High Streets was a three-year project delivered by Photoworks to create a contemporary picture of England’s high streets through artist residencies and a public call out. It was part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zones Cultural Programme, and produced in partnership with GRAIN Projects, Impressions Gallery, Open Eye Gallery, London College of Communications, Photofusion, QUAD/FORMAT, Redeye, ReFramed and The Photographers’ Gallery.
From September 2022 to September 2023, people across England responded to themed fortnightly challenges and submitted their photographs on Instagram under the hashtag #PicturingHighStreets. All entries created an unofficial archive documenting a year in the life of the English high street on Instagram, and a selection form this permanent collection in the Historic England Archive.
In August 2023, Historic England and GRAIN Projects invited people to send in photographs of Walsall’s high streets. From over 400 entries, 10 photographs were chosen to be added to the Picturing High Streets collection that reflect the unique character of Walsall and celebrate the people that make its high street so special, from market traders to shoppers.
The photographer wrote the following text to explain how their image relates to this theme: "The high-streets are lined with colorful food and clothes stalls. Along these stalls I saw a man riding a four wheel mobility scooter. The British and English flags fluttered over his head. The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final was to be held in two days (England will play for victory against Spain). For me it is a sign of support, people often hang out flags during such important events for the nation. On high-street you can see what our country is like, it reflects the mood of people and social, political and cultural situation."
This is part of the Volume: HEC01/128/02/16 Picturing High Streets: Mass Participation Project - Picturing Walsall; within the Sub Series: HEC01/128/02 Picturing High Streets: Mass Participation Project; within the Series: HEC01/128 Picturing High Streets; within the Collection: HEC01 Historic England
© Sylwia Ciszewska-Peciak
Photographer: Ciszewska-Peciak, Sylwia
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