News: SIRF’s UP Exhibition

Photos By Adam Parkin

Passionate local photographer Adam Parkin brings SIRF’s Up, a photography exhibition giving a unique insight into the history of SIRF, to Stockton Central Library. Adam Parkin graduated from CCAD in 2012 with a BA (Hons) in Photography and now specialises in live event photography. His passion for photography was inspired by SIRF when he used to take photos of the event on his disposable camera as a five year old boy and has been to every festival since. 

Adam has captured 13 years worth of photographs of the festival and sorting through them has been no easy task. However it has been an enjoyable and worthwhile process as he points out, “It has been a fantastic experience curating this exhibition, revisiting memories of previous festivals and this exhibition will give the viewer a chance to be immersed in the history of the festival. I am excited to showcase my images of SIRF not only to the people of Stockton but to the performers and visitors from further afield and hope to give others the opportunity to reminisce about the festival”

“SIRF is an important part of Stockton’s event’s calendar and brings a lot of entertainment to the town. I have been attending the festival for so many years that I’ve found it hard to pick my favourite SIRF memory, but I’ve especially enjoyed the large scale walk-about shows such as ‘Les Giraffes’ and ‘Les Tambours De La Meurte’ because you are fully immersed in the performance.”

To Coincide with the exhibition Adam has been working with Rediscover Stockton to display a montage of images in their window to help promote the exhibition and the festival. He is also wanting to collect people’s stories of SIRF and is interested in hearing thoughts and experiences throughout the years from people who have attended the festival throughout the years. He will then combine these stories with his imagery to create a blog where all the stories will be published. 

If anyone is interested in being involved in telling their stories of the SIRF please contact Adam via email at sirfsup2019@gmail.com

The Exhibition is on display until 30th August on the first floor of Stockton Central Library and can be viewed during Library opening hours:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 8.30am – 6pm 
Tuesday and Thursday: 8.30am – 8pm
Saturday: 9.30am – 4pm