London charity Spitalfields Crypt Trust (SCT), is delighted to announce the launch of a new exhibition, which will be the final and pinnacle event of its golden anniversary celebrations.(1)

From 17th June – 27th June, at theprintspace gallery in Shoreditch, London, In Darkness, Light is an exhibition of photographic portraits, which celebrates 50 years of SCT working with the homeless and those in recovery.

It is inspired by the transformative effect that SCT has had on the lives of hundreds of people in recovery from drug and alcohol addictions, and includes photographs of people who have experienced the harsh realities of addiction.

It also features faces of some well-known celebrities and Spitalfields locals from the arts and cultural world – people whose lives have felt the impact of addiction and homelessness, or are concerned by these issues. These include the film-maker Ken Loach, acclaimed film and theatre actor Jonathan Pryce, TV actor and personality Denise Welch (‘Coronation Street/Loose Women’), musicians Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller, Jo Wood and novelist Diran Adebayo.(2)

The images have been taken by celebrated music photographer and local boy Lawrence Watson, specifically for this golden jubilee event for SCT. Watson established his first photography studio in Shoreditch 25 years ago, just opposite SCT’s premises.

The photography style is reminiscent of London portrait photography in the swinging 60s, when SCT was founded. The strong light and shadow in all of the photographs are intended to provoke reflections on our associations with darkness and light – such as moral, emotional, social and religious.

For over 50 years, SCT has been supporting local, often homeless, people to recover from their addictions to drugs and alcohol, helping them to develop self-respect and hope for a real future. The stigma that continues to surround addiction means taking part in the exhibition is a brave choice.

Chief Executive, Graham Marshall, said:
“SCT supports people to recover from alcoholism and drug addiction for as long as it takes. Since we opened in Spitalfields back in 1965, our attitude hasn’t changed. We care deeply about the people we work with and want the best for them, and we are in for the long haul. Recovery takes time, involving healing, change, and maturity to the inner person – this is where the long-term and permanent change has to happen.”

Lawrence Watson said:
“I’m delighted to be supporting Spitalfields Crypt Trust, which does so much important work to help vulnerable people rebuild their lives. I hope that people find this exhibition interesting and thought-provoking, and that, vitally, it inspires renewed support for the charity.”

Also featured in the exhibition will be filmed interviews with some of those who have taken part, created by filmmaker Robert Chilcott.

The exhibition is sponsored by international law firm Shearman & Sterling (www.shearman.com). The exhibition’s launch is also being supported by Fentimans botanical beverages – www.fentimans.com

Ends

Notes to Editors
1) The charity will host a special press preview on Thursday 16th June between 10.00am and 12pm, which will be attended by some of the celebrities pictured, as well as photographer Lawrence Watson, and key charity personnel.

Follow SCT on Twitter: @recoverypathway and www.facebook.com/recoverypathway

2) Famous personalities that have taken part in the exhibition include:

• Diran Adebayo (Author)
• Fenella Fielding (Actress)
• Noel Gallagher (Musician)
• Michael Horowitz (Artist)
• Helen Lederer (Comedian/Actress)
• Ken Loach (Filmmaker)
• Andrew Logan (Artist)
• James McConnell (Composer)
• Trevor Nelson (DJ)
• Adrian Newman (Bishop of Stepney)
• Jonathan Pryce (Actor)
• Levi Roots (Chef)
• Vanessa Vallely (Business woman and Pearly Queen of City of London)
• Vanessa Vie (Artist)
• Denise Welch (Actor, ex-Coronation Street/Loose Women presenter)
• Paul Weller (Rock Musician)
• Jake Wood (Actor)
• Jo Wood (entrepreneur/business woman)
• Members of the SCT recovery community

3) For further media enquiries, please contact Sonia Rai at communications@sct.org.uk

4) theprintspace Gallery is at 74 Kingsland Road, London, E2 8DL. It is open to the public between 9.00am and 7.00pm, weekdays only.

5) Lawrence Watson has been at the forefront of music photography for many years, taking iconic portraits of music greats including David Bowie, Morrissey, James Brown, Run DMC, Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher, to name a few. He has exhibited all over the world, and published an acclaimed retrospective of his work, ‘The World Is…Yours’.

6) Robert Chilcott has directed a number of short films including Girl 2 and‘Cameo, as well as a BBC TV documentary about the painter and writer, Molly Parkin. He has also written for FilmFour, Wallflower Press, and Vertigo magazine, and is a regular contributor to The Chap magazine.

7) The photography exhibition was produced by Francine Holdgate. She has produced a number of photography campaigns for high-profile BBC productions, including ‘Doctor Who’, ‘Top Gear’ and the Electric Proms. Most recently, she has been working on a photography campaign for Comic Relief.

8) SCT was founded in November 1965, by Rector Dennis Downham. It provided one of the first residential shelters in the UK for homeless, alcoholic men and began working with them to help them find a way towards recovery. SCT receives no funding from the Government or local council and relies on income from donations, corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations. For more information, see the website: www.sct.org.uk; registered office: Acorn House 116-118 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JN.