“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world
around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden
in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in
magic will never find it.”
Roald Dahl
Visible, Now represents images inspired by the beauty and innocence of childhood.
The sanctity of childhood in modern times has never been in more peril. Capitalism sells the public a dream that is nearly always just out of reach. In pursuit of happiness and security parents are less available for their children. This together with the increasing occurrence of single parent families in society, means the freedom for a child to revel in the spirit of youth is being eroded. Children grow up so quickly.
The transient fragility and ephemeral nature of childhood is an essential part of healthy human development that should not suffer prejudice, poverty or perversion. In an exploration of boundaries - determining its place with in the world - a child by nature is drawn in equal measure to light and darkness. As the child negotiates childhood, their accumulated reservoir of experience acts as the spine that will shape future life.
Honouring the space for a child to imagine, to play, explore and wonder is the most important freedom.
Philip Gostelow, 2005
