Community Projects

The Old Mens Club 

 

I was commissioned by StreetLevel Photoworks to work on a community photography project in the north of Glasgow. For the past 3 months I have been documenting and working with an old men’s club who meet in Springburn Park. The club meets in the historic Mosesfield House that has been a lifeline and haven for elderly and retired men since 1946.

This was a unique collaboration project with the men sharing their stories, knowledge and their archive photographs to construct a short documentary film about not only Mosefield House and their club but also their friendships and the changes in Springburn.

You can view the short film of photographs and audio here:
The Old Mens Club from chris leslie on Vimeo.

Dalmarnock Youth Project

 

A project commissioned by Street Level Photoworks from April to July 2009, this was a project to children from Dalmarnock Youth Project photography and multimedia skiils. As well teaching the basic techniques of digital photography I also taught the children simple multimedia skills for story telling and web publishing their work. Through this piece of work they also learned about the history of photography, the science behind it as well as a new appreciation of their own area and Glasgow as a whole. The work has a variety of inspirations and styles. Although just at the start of their photographic careers many of the images show great thought and creativity. The process has been one that has brought young people together and many friendships were started and others strengthened over the months that we have been doing this. A special photography exhibition was held on Dalmarnock Youth Project – using a spare room in the tenement flats the project occupies.

Sarajevo: A Childs View – 1997 – 2001

 

In the summer months of 1997 – 2000 I set up and ran a photography project in Sarajevo in the basement of the citys main orphanage. In a specially constructed makeshift darkroom, children from 6-16 years learned the basics of BW photography and printing and then set out to document life in their city. The entire project was ran by myself voluntarily for 4 years and materials were donated through various outlets and appeals. As well as teaching children from Sarajevo a new skill and discipine, the project also provided a unique creative outlet to help the children deal with the effects of war and siege. The children’s photographs were exhibited throughout London, Sarajevo and Israel.