Leave to Remain - Diana Matar
30 September to 11 November 2006

A BCA Gallery touring exhibition, generously supported by Comic Relief and Arts Council England, East

A photographic exhibition of large-scale portraits and accompanying testimonies recorded by well-respected documentary photographer Diana Matar.

During 2002-2005 Diana worked with, photographed and interviewed a large number of politically displaced people living in Britain. Her subjects have travelled from places such as Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Iran, Iraq, Somalia and Sri Lanka.

Through her work they speak of their lives before and after arriving in this country making Leave to Remain a collection of sensitive portraits and stories that provide a voice for a largely alienated and silent community.

As a photographer, Diana Matar is drawn to subject matter where she can use her skills to record and illustrate social and political implications on individuals. This exhibition highlights the experiences, histories and background of a diverse group of individuals and gives us a unique insight into their lives. It also marks her first transition to large-scale colour work.

Diana Matar is an experienced documentary photographer. She has been a panellist on the annual World Press Forum, a lecturer in the prestigious SF Camerawork Lecture Series and was selected by the Mexican National Council of Arts to teach their first documentary photography workshop in Tijuana, Mexico. Matar has continually used her camera to record and expose the social and political factors impacting on societies across the world.