Course Leader and graduate curate photography symposium at Photo|Frome

Jesse Alexander, Course Leader of Photography MA (Online), and Phil Hill, a graduate of the same programme, have co-curated the upcoming photography symposium 'These Poor Creatures'. This event is part of the Photo|Frome festival and will take place on Saturday 26 April 2026, at the Silk Mill Studios in Frome, Somerset. 

'These Poor Creatures' is a one-day symposium that delves into the themes of photography, inequality, and the countryside. The event draws its title from an observation made by journalist and politician William Cobbett in 1822, who remarked on the hardships faced by rural communities in Frome. This historical context sets the stage for contemporary discussions on how photography can illuminate rural poverty and social disparities. 

The symposium will feature a series of panel discussions with celebrated photographers and artists, including Tessa Bunney, Jennifer Forward-Hayter, Kirsty Mackay, Naomi Wood, Denise Felkin, Jermaine Francis, and Andy Thatcher. Topics will explore the representation of rural communities, the role of photography in highlighting inequality, and the narratives that shape our understanding of the countryside.  

On curating the symposium, Phil Hill said: “It has been fantastic to work with Jesse and the Photo| Frome team to develop this day. It is an important topic for me personally, especially as it’s happening in Frome. I was born and grew up in the town, coming from a working-class background where opportunities were often few and far between. It is great to see this happening in the place where I am from. I hope that the discussion will highlight continuing issues and inspire people to get involved.” 

Falmouth University staff and students are invited to attend the symposium free of charge, offering a unique opportunity to engage with critical conversations on how rural inequality is being communicated in contemporary photography. 

For more information about the symposium and to view the full programme, visit the Photo|Frome website.

Photo|Frome

Lead image: Jennifer Forward-Hayter