Places Nowhere was my debut solo exhibition, where I explored the ghostlines of lived experience, moments suspended between reality and retreat, presence and dissociation. Spanning landscapes from Manchester and Blackpool to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, this collection is a haunting meditation on trauma, memory, and survival.
The exhibition is rooted in a deeply personal reckoning: in 2020, after 17 years of silence, I disclosed my experience of childhood sexual abuse. What followed was a period of profound reflection, during which photography became both a lifeline and a language. These images do not document places as much as they channel emotional states, what I called “Places Nowhere,” spaces of psychological exile shaped by dissociation and survival.
Inspired by the stark stillness of Edward Hopper, I used AI platform MidJourney to reimagine his my photographs in Hopper’s style. These painterly reinterpretations echo the isolation and surreal quietude found in Hopper’s work, deepening the emotional resonance of each scene. In collaboration with digital artist Anna Burrows, the AI-generated works were brought to life through subtle animation, viewable via the Artivive app.
This augmented layer invited viewers to peer beneath the surface, mirroring the internal process of confronting hidden trauma, and offering an interactive glimpse into what is felt but unseen. Places Nowhere was both canvas and catharsis: a space to break silence, challenge stigma, and illuminate the often invisible terrain of mental health.
‘The Deansgate’
£300
This is one of my favourite photographs I have tool in Manchester that captures a striking contrast between old and new architecture in our wonderful city. The shot is taken from an elevated position, offering a cinematic perspective of the street below.
The foreground features The Deansgate, a classic red-brick pub with ornate detailing, reflecting Manchester’s Victorian architectural heritage. The warm tones of the brick contrast with the stark, modern glass-and-concrete high-rise behind it, which embodies the city’s contemporary urban development. The low-angle evening sunlight casts long shadows, giving the scene a golden-hour glow that enhances the texture of the buildings and adds a nostalgic quality.
A solitary figure in a dark coat and backpack strides across the pavement, adding a sense of movement and everyday life to the frame. The posters on the pub’s facade hint at Manchester’s vibrant music and nightlife scene, reinforcing the location's cultural significance.
This scene could symbolize Manchester’s evolution, a city where history and modernity exist side by side. The Deansgate is one of the city’s oldest surviving pubs, standing resilient amid rapid gentrification (although this shot was taken during the period it was closed after Covid-19).
Perhaps this photograph tells a quiet story of change, where tradition struggles to remain relevant in the face of progress. The lone pedestrian might be a local on their way home, an artist looking for inspiration, or even a traveller discovering the city's layered history.
The deliberate framing and lighting make this more than just an urban snapshot; it’s a moment that invites contemplation about the character of a city shaped by both heritage and transformation.
‘The Commodore’
£200
This photograph was taken in Los Angeles in 2022 and captures a sun-drenched, slightly faded street scene in front of The Commodore, a towering building that looms in the background with its large, skeletal sign perched on the roof. The pastel tones of the building, muted pinks and off-whites, contrast with the rusted, peeling red sign of the City Center Hotel in the foreground. The signage, partially in English and partially in Asian scripts, hints at a neighbourhood with a rich, multicultural history.
A lone cyclist stands in the empty street, their figure small against the overwhelming backdrop of mid-century architecture and urban decay. The shadows are sharp and defined, suggesting it’s midday, the kind of heat that slows everything down. The boarded-up storefronts and weathered motel facade evoke a sense of abandonment.
This image feels like a snapshot of a city caught between its past and an uncertain future. The grandeur of The Commodore suggests a time when this area thrived, perhaps as a bustling downtown hub or a glamorous stopover for travellers. Now, it seems to be a relic, its former glory dimmed by time and economic shifts.
The cyclist could be a local resident, a food delivery worker, or simply someone passing through, weaving their way between the remnants of what once was. Their presence adds a hint of life to an otherwise still and silent scene. Maybe they’ve grown up seeing these buildings in various states of change, or perhaps they’re new to this part of the city, discovering its layers for the first time.
The photograph speaks to the resilience of urban spaces, the quiet persistence of life amid decline. Even as buildings crumble and signs fade, people continue to move through these streets, each with their own story, adding new layers to the city’s evolving narrative.
‘DTLA’
£200
This photograph captures a stark urban scene at the corner of Flower Street in DTLA, where a beige, sun-bleached building stands mostly vacant, its windows reflecting the harsh midday light. The peeling, blacked-out sign above hints at a business long gone, while bright red FOR LEASE signs plastered on the walls signal the transient nature of this space. The rigid grid of windows contrasts sharply with the emptiness of the storefronts below, creating a visual tension between structure and abandonment.
A solitary figure, a man in a hoodie and sneakers, walks across the street, their small stature emphasised by the towering buildings and oversized signage. The stoplight hangs in the background, stuck on red, as if freezing the moment in time. The overall mood feels both desolate and hopeful, with the bright sun casting sharp shadows that add depth and contrast to the scene.
The empty storefronts and weathered signage suggest a once-thriving commercial area now struggling to find new purpose. Perhaps the street was once bustling with shops and businesses but now stands as a symbol of shifting economies and changing times.
The man crossing the street adds a layer of narrative to the image. Are they heading home from work, exploring the city, or running an errand? Their presence injects a sense of life and movement into an otherwise static, silent environment.
The photograph captures not just a street corner, but a story of impermanence, growth, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments often overlooked.
‘Lewis’
£200
This photograph captures my friend Lewis standing at a quiet bus stop in Manchester’s Gay Village. The shot is taken from an elevated perspective, lending a voyeuristic, almost cinematic feel to the composition.
This could be a moment of waiting, transition, or introspection. The contrast between his bright beanie and the muted urban tones makes him stand out, suggesting individuality or defiance against the mundanity of routine. The emptiness around him adds to the sense of isolation, yet the warmth of the sunlight gives the scene a quiet beauty.
I included this shot in this collection to pay homage to my friend Lewis Hancock who is a magical man and gave me encouragement to believe in myself and take the plunge into this crazy creative world. Photography has the power to change lives, not just through the images it captures, but through the courage it instils in those who dare to see the world differently. This is a tribute to the Lewis who lit that spark me.
The fearlessness with which Lewis pursues life is admirable and he helped me see that photography isn’t just about pressing a shutter, it’s about taking a chance, stepping into the unknown, and daring to see beyond the obvious.
Because of his work, someone picked up a camera, chased a dream, and found their own way of looking at the world.
And that is the mark of true inspiration.
‘The Recession’
£300
This shot was taken in October 2022 in Wheeling, WV. I was on a road trip around the Rust Belt of the Northeastern states in the USA for an ongoing photography project. This depicts a small, somewhat weathered building which houses a bar.
This image captures a scene steeped in urban nostalgia and subtle mystery, a solitary figure standing outside a small, nondescript building with a faded façade. A neon sign in red and green reads OPEN ATM, its artificial glow contrasting with the natural light casting elongated shadows on the walls. The muted color palette, greys, blues, and faded greens, adds a melancholic, almost cinematic quality to the scene.
The man, dressed in a dark jacket and jeans, stands with his hands in his pockets, staring out onto an empty street. His posture suggests both weariness and patience, as though he’s waiting for something, or someone, that may never arrive. The surrounding buildings, with their worn textures and boarded windows, evoke a sense of a once-bustling area now in quiet decline.
This image feels like a snapshot from a story in progress. The man could be a local, familiar with the rhythms of this street, or a drifter pausing on his way to somewhere else. Perhaps the building once housed a thriving business, now reduced to offering the bare minimum, a functioning ATM and the promise of being open. The juxtaposition of the neon sign with the dilapidated exterior reflects a tension between survival and decay.
The photo invites us to imagine the man's life. Is he reflecting on past choices? Waiting for an old friend? Or is he simply part of the landscape, blending into the quiet fabric of a neighborhood left behind by time? The light and shadows suggest the end of a day, but they could also symbolise the passage of years, capturing not just a moment, but the weight of everything leading up to it.
‘Dimitri’s’
£300
This photograph was taken last year in the Village Hall, the space above this room where we host the Manchester Photography Collective. It captures a quiet street corner featuring Dimitri’s, a taverna nestled within a striking red-brick building adorned with ornate, arched windows and classical columns. The building's architectural details, Victorian-era stonework and decorative pillars, contrast with the more modern signage of the restaurant. The window reflects soft daylight, casting a gentle glow that enhances the warmth of the red bricks.
In the foreground, an elderly woman, bundled in a tan coat and purple headscarf, walks along the pavement, clutching a shopping bag. The street is empty aside from her, adding a sense of calm and solitude to the scene. The cobblestone path, potted plants, and subtle signs of life, like the “Vote Love” poster in the taverna’s window suggest a neighbourhood that blends tradition with contemporary character.
This scene feels like a moment plucked from the rhythm of everyday life in Manchester, where old-world charm meets modern city living. Dimitri’s is a beloved local spot, known for its warmth and community atmosphere, a family-run place that's been serving Greek food for generations. The building itself speaks to the city’s rich industrial history, now repurposed to house small businesses and local eateries.
The elderly woman’s presence adds a personal touch to the image. Maybe she’s a long-time resident of the city, familiar with every corner and crack in the pavement. Her purposeful stride suggests routine, perhaps she’s on her way to buy ingredients for dinner. The juxtaposition of her figure against the grand architecture reflects the interplay between the personal and the historical, the intimate stories that unfold daily against the backdrop of the city’s enduring structures.
‘Auburn Nights’
£250
This photograph was taken in 2022 and captures a timeless moment at dusk, blending Manchester’s industrial heritage with modern movement. The warm hues of the sunset bathe the city in golden light, reflecting off the canal below and casting long shadows. A vintage red-brick mill with a distinctive chimney stands proudly in the background, its history echoing through the scene.
A train, mid-motion, crosses a steel bridge over the canal, emphasising the Manchester’s connection to transport and industry. Below, a solitary figure, a woman in a white blouse, walks across the street, her auburn hair catching the last light of the day. The contrast between the natural elements (trees and water) and the mechanical (train, bridge, and traffic signals) creates a poetic tension.
This image tells a quiet yet compelling story of a city in transition. The industrial past is evident in the brick mills and iron bridges, remnants of Manchester’s textile heyday, now repurposed into apartments and creative spaces. The train represents the ceaseless movement of the modern world, a lifeline connecting people and stories across the city.
The canal, once used for transporting goods, now reflects the sky, a mirror to changing times. The framing of this shot suggests a fleeting moment, a pause in the daily rush, where history, progress, and human stories intersect.
It's a love letter to Manchester, its grit, its warmth, and its ever-evolving identity.
