PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITIONS APLENTY

Two great exhibitions in and around the Newcastle area at the moment. First up is Helios VIII at The Biscuit Factory, the semi-regular showcase of emerging photographic talent in the North East.

Image (c): Paula Korte ’Saara’ from the series ‘Melancholy Reverie’ 2010

Second (at the always excellent Side Gallery) is Simon Wheatley's "Don't Call Me Urban! (The Time of Grime)", an astonishing collection of stills depicting a world we all think we know but is actually pretty alien to most of us. Unusual presentation of shots - no frames, just prints pinned to the walls. You'll either love ot hate that, but the images are unmistakeably excellent. Also very interesting to see a shot of Dizzee Rascal in there, long before he became the name he is now.

Image (c) Simon Wheatley