Supporters help museum acquire photo collections

Derby Museums has acquired two important collections of photography thanks to the support of its donors.

Along with financial support from Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, it has secured images from two contemporary photographers, John Blakemore and Kate Bellis, which will provide visitors with alternative perspectives on work and nature in the Derbyshire landscape.

John Blakemore has been creating art through photography and other mediums since 1956 and has served as an inspiration to generations of photographers through his landscape work and teaching career at Derby College of Art and the University of Derby.

The collection of work Derby Museums has acquired consists of 12 photographic prints, the book Black and White Photography Workshop and an exhibition poster from the 1991 Metro Cinema touring exhibition.

The second addition to Derby Museums’ photographic collection comes from award-winning photographer and published author Kate Bellis.

Throughout her career Kate has forged a reputation for communicating the strong relationships between people and cultures and the land around them.

Kate has worked across the world and exhibited nationally and internationally; she settled in Derbyshire at the end of the 1990s.

Four impactful portraits acquired by Derby Museums showcase women – Amy, Glynis, Mary, and Jen – leading work in local Derbyshire quarries and farms.

The images help to address an imbalance of perspectives within Derby Museums’ collections, where often the artwork showcased is created by men or features men as the main subject.

Sally Hawley, co-head of curation at Derby Museums, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to acquire such a fantastic selection of photography thanks to two generous donors and the V&A Purchase Grant Fund.

“These images help us to fill in some of the gaps in our collections, specifically around local landscapes and workers and the representation of women, and more accurately share the story of Derbyshire.

“I hope visitors will be able to examine the works and be inspired by the stories they tell.”

The Kate Bellis photographs will feature in the Earthbound exhibition coming to the Museum of Making in the summer of 2025.

John Blakemore’s work will appear in upcoming redisplays at the Museum and Art Gallery in the coming year, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.