UK, Ireland / Poles working in Manchester, England - request for facts [34]

Merged:Manchester Poles Photography Project

Hi All,
I have just registered to this site as I am English photographer living in Manchester a city which now has a sizable Polish community. I believe the Poles have made a large contribution to the local economy both in labour and spending terms which is why I was dismayed following the riots in August when local residents attributed the rioters actions due to to "The Polish taking all our jobs". These comments were broadcast on SKY which has led me to produce a counter argument visually.

My intention is to produce a body of photographic work which shall portray Manchester's Polish workers to be exhibited next year in the City Centre. The images shall convey the real story and not the sham often portrayed.

Displayed alongside the images shall be text detailing the workers lives in Manchester (possibly the use of audio too) as a way to tell the story of the necessary act of reinvention as they track their new surroundings. The project shall show how they are forced to create a new way to live.

I am currently speaking to members of the Polish community in Manchester who so far have all supported my intentions offering assistance. I would like though to hear your views as to the project ie, - is it worthy, how would you like to see it approached etc. Or if there are any Manchester Poles who should like to be involved?

Many thanks

UK, Ireland / Poles working in Manchester, England - request for facts [34]

thanks for the comments, I am keen to involve the Polish community as much as possible and so the story is conveyed correctly am considering the use of text or possibly audio interviews with the participants. This i feel would pass some of the control over to the subjects.

[quote]A photo reportage hagiography of good 'ard working Poles doing the jobs the locals wont do(yeah,wot ever...) will do zero for community cohesion IMHO./quote]

Thanks, though lack of community cohesion is normally down to ignorance in my experience, which is a large reason why I am undertaking this project.

UK, Ireland / Poles working in Manchester, England - request for facts [34]

Not at all, I appreciate your feedback. I am in the very early days of this project which shall run until May and realise it is a very emotive topic, hence why I am seeking as much input as possible from the Polish community. (something I am considering is to put together a website which shall work in conjunction toward the exhibition and allow workers to update their own images of themselves or short stories about their experiences in the UK)

Merged: Polish Graphic Artists

cześć, my name is Andy Moseley and I am a photographer beginning a project on Polish workers in my home city of Manchester UK, this shall culminate in an exhibition in the city next summer. Alongside the exhibition a website is to be set up allowing workers to upload images of themselves and to talk of their experiences. I felt this would be a democratic and collaborative way of telling the stories of the Poles living in Manchester.

For the project I am looking for a graphic to adorn the literature and website and thought it would be a nice dimension if this was contributed by a Pole living in the city.

Just wondered if anybody was interested?

UK, Ireland / Is moving to UK now a good idea? - antipolish prejudice of the Brits [231]

Not all the English are negative toward Polish immigration. Manchester has a proud tradition of welcoming immigrants that has spanned many years, I grew up with friends who were of Irish and Afro-Caribbean descent, cohesion in my city has always existed. This though is not as common place in other UK cities. You are right, there are some quarters who have voiced "the Polish are taking all our jobs" spiel, which has led me to begin work on an arts project to counter this sham. An interactive platform shall be developed allowing Poles in Manchester to tell their stories and share their experiences which will be live in the city from early next year.

UK, Ireland / Research Request- Polish immigrant community in Ireland. [10]

Hi I am doing a similar project in Manchester (only started 5 weeks ago) , however it is a photography/multi media project based on Polish workers and the exclusion they sometimes face, maybe of interest to you? If interested mail me so I can give you the url of webpage, don't think I am allowed to post it?