The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
Jan 2016 back issue
by Sheila Rock
No matter where you are in England, you are no more than a few hundred
miles from the sea. There is an unexplained attraction to the edges of the land.
England is an island nation and the sea has a mysterious power on the psyche.
People are drawn to the seashore. The sea is expansive and allows the mind
to be free and the imagination to slip off to far away places. An island is,
however, confined. This juxtaposition encourages an interesting mix of people.
English summertime is short; not always sunny. Seaside towns are full of the
old Grandeur of long ago. They are fragile places; joy is tinged with the
sadness of the passage of time. Sheila Rock’s photographs and portraits
express a great deal about the uniqueness of the English. They have resolution
of spirit and strength. They have courage to sunbathe on rocky coasts, laugh in
the pouring rain and stand in the mud when the skies are forever grey. Tough
and Tender together.
