REFLECTIONS
Jonathan Heyhoe and Csilla Toldy
Jonathan Heyhoe is a photographer whose work explores the human condition. In this exhibition, the images challenge and question identity through reflections of self and others.
Csilla Toldy, poet and novelist, offers a personal response to the images shot one winter evening in the Tate Modern Gallery in London, and to a series of summer themes taken mainly in Jonathan’s home in County Down.
The exhibition is accompanied by a limited edition book.
“A powerful combination of words and images raising questions about our place in the world.” Paul Sanders, fine art photographer, formerly Picture Editor of The Times
Our Story
The first set of photographs was taken in 33 minutes on a visit to Tate Modern, in January
2019. I was inspired by the reflections and distortions in the windows of the cafe while
my wife was relaxing and reading a book.
The second set, by contrast, span the years 2016 to 2021. They began life in the self-
portrait module of an online Contemplative Photography course. As someone who never
usually thinks of taking “selfies” this was a difficult challenge but proved rewarding in
helping to explore issues of personal identity and self-knowledge. The majority of these
photos were taken in our house and garden. All the photographs in this book are single
shot in camera exposures. (No Photoshop trickery here!)
I was quite surprised when Csilla so readily embraced my invitation to respond to these
photographs and I am delighted with her wonderfully imaginative writing.
My grateful thanks to Paul Sanders for writing the foreword to this book.
Jonathan
When Jonathan Heyhoe asked me to write stories for his images I was intrigued. There is so much to see, there are so many layers. It made me think of the layered nature of reality, and the layered nature of truth.
What connects us, is that we are truth-seekers, and we express that truth through our art.
“In the beginning was the word” the Bible says, but in this case, the image was in the beginning.
I am grateful to have been asked to write words to the pictures.
Csilla
Images from the exhibition
