For over one year, Image17 have been documenting the amazing sports group in Waltham Forest, one of London’s Olympic Boroughs. These 144 image of 48 groups by 13 photographers form an exhibition which will tour the Borough, from 24 March 2012 until 16 September 2012. To coincide with the London2012 Torch Relay, our largest free exhibition opens at Walthamstow Central Library, 21 July – 16 September 2012.
“ Image17 bring fresh ideas, vision and commitment to projects. They deliver consistently high quality work on budget and on time. The quality of their work speaks for itself however it is worth noting the tremendous amount of positive public feedback we had for the Taking Part Commission that coincided with the Olympics. A key concern for our borough was that many people would be excluded from the pleasure and the spectacle of the Olympics and we wanted sport to be about the ‘taking part’, about people from across the borough belonging to our borough and connecting with the Olympic spirit. Not only did the stunning images capture sport and participation in the borough in the run up to the Olympics, but thousands of people saw them afterwards and were connected to and inspired by what they saw. The images were displayed across the borough by popular demand and are a treasured record of our moment in modern Olympic history.” Cllr Clare Coghill Portfolio Lead Member- Economic Growth and High Streets Waltham Forest Council
These striking and celebratory images show the breadth of sports available, but also the commitment of staff and volunteers. Sport plays an important role in a community; as well as keeping people fit and active, it brings people together, creating friendships and support networks. The images include archery, athletics, badminton, boccia, bowling, boxing, canoeing, chess, cricket, cycling, diving, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, horse riding, ice hockey, ice skating, judo, karate, netball, squash & racket ball, rugby, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, tai chi, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling. The exhibition schedule, with different images at each venue, is as follows:
- 21 August – 16 September 2012 Taking Part V – Walthamstow Library, High Street, London E17 7JN24
- 21 July – 19 August 2012 Taking Part IV – Walthamstow Library, High Street, London E17 7JN
- 9 June – 1 July 2012 Taking Part III – Leytonstone Library, 6 Church Lane, London E11 1HG
- 5 May – 27 May 2012 Taking Part II – North Chingford Library, The Green, London E4 7EN
- March – 22 April 2012 Taking Part I – Leyton Library, High Road, London E10 5QH
