Taking Part is an exhibition by 13 photographers, documenting 48 of the amazing sports groups of Olympic host borough, Waltham Forest.
Whilst the countdown to Olympics means plenty of news stories about elite athletes and medal speculation, Waltham Forest Council is keeping the focus on actual Londoners participating in community sport, through this commission to local photography collective Image17.
Image17 photographer, Nicola Tree, conceived the exhibition after working with local school-children on Olympic themed projects. They decided to focus on the idea that 'it’s not the winning but the taking part that counts'.
I wanted to produce an all- inclusive, community based photographic record of local sports focusing on the dedication and talent in the Borough. Its aim was to counterbalance the celebrity culture surrounding the elite and extremely talented athletes that the world will be watching throughout the games this summer.
The body of work will provide a lasting legacy which future residents to treasure and use as a historical and cultural slice of life in the early 21st century.
See the full exhibition at Leyton Library now, until 22 April. It then moves on to North Chingford Library, Leytonstone Library and Walthamstow Library until after the Paralympics close.
Find out when and where to see 'Taking Part'.