Closer: An Exhibition of Photography By Lee Karen Stow

Photographer Lee Karen Stow’s exhibition as the Treasure House entitled Closer offers a unique look at Yorkshire through the lens of one of Beverley’s top photographers.

Her work is a series of images that captures the surroundings of her home in East Yorkshire – leaves, trees, grasses – as expressions of moods, feelings, light, and abstract forms.

Proving popular with visitors to the Treasure House the Hull born photographer started life off as a journalist with her work has been featured in top publications like the Daily Telegraph and The Times while learning the ropes on training locations in the US with National Geographic legendary photographers Jim Stanfield and Sam Abell.

Alongside her current project, there is an interesting selection of display cases that show snippets of her work and the tools of her trade.

Armed with her Canon camera Lee’s presfession has seen her travel to 60 countries and documented many subjects, her awarding winning project, 42, saw her travel and document the life expectancy of women in Sierra Leone.

My attention is drawn to photograph in the display case that shows Lee stood next to someone else taking a picture, in it her camera is lowered as she is listening intently to what the photographer is explaining to her, over her shoulder, Lee explained;

“The man in the photo is Jim Stanfield. He is a top National Geographic photographer, while he is shooting he is telling what he is photographing, advice like that is priceless.”

While working on location, Lee likes to travel light, taking a limited amount of kit, she joked about her size and said;

“I will normally take one camera and two lens, when I go, I tape out all the Canon logos use a non branded strap and scruffy bag. Some of the places I have been to they would kill you to take your kit.”

“I also keep a spare camera body which I leave with someone else should I have any problems with the one I using.”

So what brings Lee back to Yorkshire and why has she taken a temporary break from travelling the world and shooting in exotic locations, simple, family.

Being around more for her elderly parents Lee has focused on a project nearer to home, but is also mid-way through a major Arts Council sponsored project documenting women affecting by wars, from WWI to modern-day conflicts which opens as a touring exhibition at the University of Cambridge in 2014.

Lee says her latest project has allowed to become a different wondering soul, walking the Westwood, driving around the lanes Lee added;

“This collection of work is inspired by the landscape, my thoughts, the work of the painter Georgia O’Keeffe and my time spent with Sam Abell.”

“I discovered that I can find solace and answers in nature, and I could express my moods, memories and fears just by walking and looking and turning the moment into a picture.”

The Exhibition runs until 19th October at the Treasure House in Beverley, entry is free and well worth a visit for anyone who is into art and especially those who like photography.