Local freelance photographer, Mike Charity, has amassed an awe-inspiring portfolio of photographs throughout his career over the past 50 years.
Local freelance photographer, Mike Charity, has amassed an awe-inspiring portfolio of photographs throughout his career over the past 50 years. Since the early 1960s he has worked as a freelance photographer, the quality of his photographs soon led to his reputation for being among the best of his profession. His camera has taken him all over the world to capture the lives of people, often at those most difficult times. His images featured in many newspapers and magazines and he became known as Charity of Cheltenham in Fleet Street, London.
From so many images of such standing the choice for this exhibition was hard to make. But the aim has been to give a taste of this great photographer's achievement from pictures that celebrate to those that commemorate. There are images of the troubles in Ireland, Borneo and Aden; famine in Ethiopia; photographs of famous people - actors and Royalty - and more recent shots of events closer to home.
Sophia Wilson, Exhibitions & Education Manager, says: "Mike Charity's photographs give us an amazing view of the last 50 years, through looking at his images in this show we are reminded of so many significant events, and it seems incredible to be able to catch so much compassion, feeling and sense of movement in one still image."
Mike Charity came to Cheltenham in 1962 and set up a photography lab with his wife, Gillian. From this base he supplied photographs and film to the regional and national press. Their son, Daniel Charity, is a photographer for The Sun newspaper.
Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum, Clarence Street, Cheltenham, Glos. GL50 3JT; tel: 01242 237431; www.cheltenhammuseum.org.uk
Open daily 10am-5pm (April-October); 10am-4pm (November-March); from 11am first Thursday of each month; open until 8pm the third Thursday of each month. Closed Bank Holidays. Free admission.
