Art Display Panels

Hull’s Fishing Community was brought to life in a world premiere photography exhibition in an acclaimed collaboration including three Fine Art Trade Guild members. Over 8,000 people visited the Hull History Centre throughout June 2017 to see the striking collection of street life photography taken by Dr Alec Gill MBE, documenting the close-knit Hessle Road community during a time of dramatic social change from 1970 – 1980.

The Hessle Roaders: Hull’s Fishing Community displayed 100 black and white framed A1 photographs, selected from over 6,600 images, taken over a period of thirty years by Hull historian Dr Alec Gill MBE. Exhibited at the Hull History Centre, the collection contributed to the Hull UK City of Culture 2017 ‘Roots and Routes’ season.

As soon as we received the call from Paul Berriff OBE about the installation of the exhibition we knew this was going to be an exciting and very different project. Paul heard about Hang My Art through the Fine Art Trade Guild network, and contacted us seeking advice regarding the installation of the framed photographs. Due to the open plan design of the Hull History Centre arcade, glass walls and high ceilings, no surfaces were suitable for installing onto and it was not possible to install a hanging system. It was clear that their standards and expectations were high and they needed a temporary display structure onto which the framed photographs could be securely installed

Further enquiry into hiring a high quality temporary exhibition display structure for 100 A1 framed photographs was not providing results and, following discussions with Alec and Paul and a consultation at the Hull History Centre, a new project for Hang My Art began: The design and manufacture of a high quality, all white, temporary Art display structure onto which 100 A1 photographs, a combination of landscape, portrait and square, could be securely exhibited.

David Bull, Hang My Art company director and Art Installer, designed a structure and quickly began the process of sourcing materials and components from local manufacturers in West Yorkshire. Six weeks later, a new temporary Art display panel system had been created. The structure consisted of 25 white panels, joined together and supported by a metal framework. The Art display system components were made in Huddersfield throughout May 2017, before being packed and transported to the Hull History Centre to be constructed on site before David could begin the installation of photographs.

It has been an honour to be a part of bringing this exhibition to life, to meet and work with such talented and experienced professionals and for the opportunity to design and produce a bespoke Art display structure. Our thanks and gratitude are also extended to the exhibition installation sponsor Hull University Library.