Martin Edwards & Red Gate Gallery are delighted to announce a week-long programme of activities to celebrate photography and to promote emotional wellbeing, from 20 March to 26 March 2009.

• An exhibition of new work by photographer Martin Edwards
• A talk by the Samaritans on emotional health and their work
• An interview with the photographer on the exhibition and his future projects
• An Open Day for beginners and students of all ages for photography
  All activities during the week are free of charge

Private View: Friday 20th of March from 6 pm – 11pm
Talk by Samaritans on Emotional Wellbeing: Friday 20th of March at 7.30pm
Artist’s Talk and Preview of Future Work: Saturday 21st of March at 1.30pm
Open Day for Beginners and Students of all Ages: Saturdayday 21st of March from 1.30pm to 5pm
Exhibition runs from: 20th of March to 26th of March inclusive
Gallery Opening Hours: Fri, Sat, Mon to Wed: 2.30 pm – 6.30 pm
Last day of exhibition Thursday 26th of March: Open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

About Martin Edwards
Responding to the death of his sister from cancer at the age of 43, the work of London-based photographer Martin Edwards explores grieving and loss and ultimately, the celebration of life.
The exhibition features six large-scale montages, based on the primary colours of the colour wheel. It has been designed especially for the Red Gate Gallery and is Martin’s first solo exhibition.
“Many people face feelings of intense grief and difficulty when coming to terms with a deeply personal event in their life – such as the loss of a loved one or coping with despair. “Colours” is my own story of responding to loss and ultimately to celebrate life”, said the photographer Martin Edwards.

The exhibition includes an interview by Red Gate Gallery curator Yara Tschallener with Martin Edwards about his work. The interview will include a preview of his future projects, including Martin’s follow-up exhibition, “Made-up”, which will also be shown at the Red Gate Gallery from 3rd July to 9th July 2009.

About Samaritans
The charity Samaritans (www.samaritans.org.) will talk about its work and the services it provides on the opening night of the exhibition. Martin Edwards has worked with the Samaritans for over eight years.
Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.
“Being able to express yourself when faced with difficult feelings can be very hard. Samaritans believe that being able to share a problem, in confidence, can really help people to cope with whatever they are going through. We hope this exhibition raises the profile of emotional health and encourages people to find a way to work through distress, despair and loss – should they be faced with such feelings”, said Shaun Kelly – Outreach Coordinator with Central London Samaritans.

Open Day for Schools and Enthusiasts
The Red Gate Gallery will be holding an Open Day for anyone with an interest in photography as a hobby or a way of exploring their feelings. The photographer Martin Edwards and the curator Yara Tschallener (herself also a professional photographer) will be on-hand throughout the afternoon. Beginners and students of all ages are especially welcome.

For further information about the artist and Samaritans, please do not hesitate to contact the following:
Shaun Kelly
Outreach and Communications Coordinator
Central London Samaritans
46 Marshall Street
London W1V 9BF
Tel: 020 7439 1406
Email: [email protected]
www.cls.org.uk
If you would like to talk to someone in confidence please call our Emergency Line on 020 7734 2800

To contact the artist:
Email: [email protected]
www.formcolourandscale.com