Chester Cathedral

10th June to 11th July 2022

“When a crisis engulfs a community it’s the women who face the challenges head on.” 

Chester Cathedral has been chosen to be part of the Tom Stoddart series of memorial exhibitions throughout 2022.

One of the undoubted skills of reportage photography is the ability to discover the extraordinary in what may at first glance seem mundane. 

A quote from Tom sums this up ”You make pictures with what’s in your head and your heart and your feet. A terrific still photograph remains one of the most powerful weapons that is around - it is storytelling with a camera - a box with a hole in that allows you to tell stories which is as old as time, if you’re good at it and you’re curious and you tell them in a unique way or the best way you can people will always want to see them or know about things. Photojournalism will be around forever.”

Tom Stoddart had an incredible award - winning career, spanning 50 years, and captured momentous fragments of history; spanning the decades from the war in Lebanon (during which he accompanied celebrated Sunday Times foreign correspondent Marie Colvin)  to the fall of the Berlin Wall to covering the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa.  

An exhibition featuring a selection of images from his final book - Extraordinary Women: Images of Courage, Endurance and Defiance, celebrates the strong will of women throughout the world during times of war, poverty and hardship, will be displayed at Chester Cathedral June 9th  – July 11th.

Sharon Price, co-founder of Photo North said “Part of Photo North ethos is our commitment to supporting those marginalised, powerless and discriminated against. Raising awareness by presenting thought provoking, evocative documentary images and screenings. We curate exhibitions that are memorable, stimulate conversation, engage debate and reinforce a vital message. Tom was a guiding light towards the truth and the good for many, it was an honour to be personally asked by Tom to curate this exceptional body of work for Chester Cathedral and to be able to bring it to the people of Chester”.

Tim Stratford, Dean of Chester remarks “We are delighted to present Extraordinary Women: Images of Courage, Endurance, and Defiance to Chester Cathedral this June, says Tim Stratford, Dean of Chester. The work of Tom Stoddart is challenging, thought-provoking, and moving: all qualities present in our own Cathedral.  We are thrilled to be able to provide a space for people to encounter this poignant body of work focussed on women, particularly in this year of Platinum Jubilee celebrations”

Caroline Cortizo, representative of the Tom Stoddart Estate and close friend of the family will be attending the launch evening for a live Q&A with Peter Dench, also a close friend and industry colleague of Tom.

"Chester Women's Aid are honoured to partner with Chester Cathedral for the Extraordinary Women exhibition. Both the artist Tom Stoddart and CWA share the desire to celebrate and make visible the courage, endurance, strength and defiance of women in hardship. We believe in the right of all women to live free from fear and abuse. This thought provoking and inspiring exhibition demonstrates Chester Cathedral's position as a cultural and social cornerstone of our community, and we are proud to support them in this event."

Extraordinary Woman is exhibited at Chester Cathedral from 9th June – 11th July.  The Cathedral is open 10am - 5pm Monday to Saturday and 12 noon to 5pm Sundays.   When travelling a long distance specifically for the exhibition, please check with the Cathedral website to ensure the Cathedral is open.  

Photo North Festival - 2022

Some of the world’s most acclaimed photographers will come to Manchester from 7-9 May to present their works through an exciting range of interactive events at Photo North Festival.

In memorial of Tom Stoddart, Photo North has been chosen to display an exhibition featuring a selection of images from his final book - Extraordinary Women: Images of Courage, Endurance and Defiance, which celebrates the strong will of women throughout the world during times of war, poverty and hardship. 

“When a crisis engulfs a community it’s the women who face the challenges head on.” Tom writes in the book. “Their love of family and ‘never surrender’ attitude drive them on to survive the miserable cruelty of conflicts, persecution, natural disasters and health emergencies.”

Once again, Photo North Festival promises to be one of the most exciting and engaging photo exhibitions in the UK.