Ali White is a man of many parts – as are the detailed photomontages that have become his artistic stock in trade.zz051213ali.jpg
His latest work, a blend of 1,000 photographs taken over two weekends this summer, offers a chance to view Brighouse and Rastrick in a way that’s not possible in real life.
The Paddock-based artist, who began using digital photography back in 2000, has previously worked his creative magic on Holmfirth and Huddersfield. His new townscape montage, entitled Brighouse and Rastrick Unplugged, which can now be seen at the Harrison Lord Gallery in Brighouse, represents hundreds of hours of painstakingly arranging local landmarks, businesses and scenery into a cohesive whole.
“I didn’t count how much time I spent on it,” says Ali, “but the Huddersfield one took 500 hours.”
He describes the Brighouse montage as: “The world of people who live here.”
Ali’s works are not a literal representation of the towns he features, but a collation of well-known and lesser-known views shown from a unique perspective.
What will be his next destination?
“I don’t know,” he says, “I’m open to suggestions.”
A former singer-songwriter, mental health worker, published author and one-time lecturer in psychology and behavioural sciences at the University of Huddersfield, Ali became a full-time artist in 2004. He has completed many commissions for organisations and individuals, from Huddersfield Town FC and Huddersfield Giants RL, John Smith's Stadium and Sheffield City Council to cafes and restaurants in Huddersfield.
His work has been exhibited all over the North of England and at the World Trade Centre in Dubai.
Brighouse and Rastrick Unplugged is available in many different formats and can be seen on-line at www.aliwhite.com and at the Harrison Lord Gallery until after Christmas.
