Exhibiting seaside-inspired works 'a privilege'

The photographer behind a seaside-inspired exhibition in Hastings says it is "a privilege" to showcase his work in the town for the first time.

JJ Waller's Beside the Sea exhibition - a selection of images from coastal towns across the South East and beyond - is on display at the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery.

For the photographer, this exhibition is about finding out "who the British are", with the seaside a fitting place to do that.

He says: "I'm an inquisitive person... [and] there's an ever-changing palette, so as somebody who enjoys walking and observing, and being out with the camera, there's a lot of source material."

Reviewing the exhibition, fellow artist David Shrigley described Waller as "really relentless" in the way he takes photographs.

"He's got a great eye, but to get a great shot you've got to be really diligent, and he is a very diligent photographer," Shrigley told BBC South East.

The photographer recalls having something of a brainwave after viewing the exhibition space for the first time.

He said: "I came up with the concept of inviting artists, mostly from our part of the world - Margate to Worthing, Shoreham, Brighton, and here in Hastings - I invited them to create a piece of work in response to the idea of a souvenir, either a real souvenir, or an imagined souvenir."

These creations sit as part of the exhibition alongside other artwork.

Waller says he has relished the opportunity to put on a show in a town he feels a real "affinity" for.

"I started off coming here just to have a look around, and I've been coming here for 18 years now," he added.

Beside the Sea is open until 5 April.

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