Lord knows we could all do with a little hope right now. So thank goodness for these photos from Clapham local, Jim Grover.
Depicting domino games, prospective house buyers, veggie growing contests — and the occasional smooch — Grover's photo essay explores different interpretations of hope, and how these can be witnessed all around us in our local communities.
Grover's photos form part of Hope: An Exhibition — a collection of around 200 photographs on display at the photographer's local church, St James Clapham, from 9-21 March.
It's a real community affair: photographs and artworks have been created for the exhibition by a cross-section of the community, including people in their 90s, teenagers, families, children from the local Iqra primary school, and visitors to Clapham-based Ace of Clubs, which offers day centre services for the homeless and vulnerable.
Says Grover, "It's incredible the imagery that can now be created on mobile phones; everyone is an artist. I am really looking forward to seeing and exhibiting our community's creativity. Exhibition visitors can be sure of experiencing a wonderful variety of portrayals of hope."
The photography exhibition itself is part of a wider Festival of Hope organised by the church, also including a concert by gospel singer Garth Hewitt (10 March) and a community film and cream tea afternoon (18 March). All events are all free.
The Reverend Kit Gunasekera, vicar of St James Clapham, said: "Hope is something we all need and long for. I am so delighted that such a diverse breadth of local people and groups are participating in our exhibition of photos and artwork... I very much hope that exhibition visitors will leave with renewed hope in their lives."
The church has become something if a makeshift gallery in recent times, displaying Of Things Not Seen (2016), and Windrush: Portrait of a Generation (2018).
Hope: An Exhibition, St James Clapham, 9-21 March, free entry
All images © Jim Grover
