Exhibition analysis: I shall say goodbye, by Johanna Ward

 Johanna Ward

I shall say goodbye

(4th October - 2nd November 2014)


Figure 1).  Snapshot of I shall say goodbye (click to enhance image size) (original image source)

Another previous exhibition worthy of note is I shall say goodbye by Johanna Ward. I first saw her work in Brighton, 2014, where she exhibited among a number of other up-and-coming photographers in a conservative group exhibition.

I shall say goodbye relies heavily upon the emotional intelligence of the viewer given its abundant themes of intimacy, morality, and to some extent, nostalgia. Furthermore, Ward establishes a crystalline narrative by presenting the project as concertina photobooks, utilizing images combined with text to amplify the sense of personal expression through a traditional storytelling format.


Figure 2).  Screenshot of video presenting I shall say goodbye (click to enhahce image size) (view original video)

The sense of intimacy and storytelling aspect of I shall say goodbye is made apparent upon first glance, a success using two exhibition strategies. Firstly, the minimal size of the photographs invite the viewer to physically look closer, instigating a relationship between the viewer and the photograph. Secondly, the layout of each image significantly varies upon each page; the section of one photograph differs from its neighbouring page. This does not yield a hap-hazard impression, but instead becomes reminiscent of traditional family albums. This sense is boosted by the significant border around each image, often larger than the photograph itself. (see Fig. 2)



Figure 3). Snapshot of I shall say goodbye (click to enhance image size) (original image source)

Above all, this layout leaves the viewer pondering the sequence. During this exhibition, I recall questioning Ward’s choice visual organisation as if I were solving a puzzle. I was confident that by understanding the sequence, I would reveal further qualities of this project. (see Fig. 3 for sequence order). This particular observation clarifies the purpose of text inclusion as the written passages are transformed into clues, opening the door to further interpretation. 

The exhibition of Remember when will draw from a number of these innovative exhibition methods. The inclusion of text will benefit my project as it broadens the interpretation of each photograph whilst simultaneously becoming more specific of the actual memory the photograph alludes to. Furthermore, the family album style of presentation and smaller image size can be adapted to fit my project, as this would give potential of boosted impressions of nostalgia. Whilst Remember when will not be displayed in concertina-style, my analysis of I shall say goodbye has given an idea how Remember when could be developed further into a photobook.  



Note: The images present are taken from various exhibitions of which I shall say goodbye is present. The layout of five concertina photobooks spread across five shelves remains consistent in all exhibitions. 

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