THESE pier photographs have previously been exhibited in their respective hometowns, but from October, all 40 photographs from the series by Simon Roberts will be available to view at Brighton Museum and Art Gallery.
The internationally renowned photographer said: “I’m delighted that the whole exhibition of prints will be displayed together for the first time in my home town of Brighton, arguably the home of the pleasure pier.
“Although the work has been seen around the country, to have it all come together gives you a great sense of the cultural and historical significance of these structures.”
Mr Roberts was introduced to photography at an early age and picked up his first camera when he was 14. and He has since become obsessed after leaving his photography behind for years while he studied at university.
Mr Roberts first picked up a camera again when he began freelancing for various newspapers.
Embarking on his own projects, his work took him to all over the world, establishing his first major project in Russia in 2004 called Motherland.
He said: “As a result of travelling abroad, I became curious about my own country’s heritage and in 2007 my wife and I spent a year travelling around the British coastline.
“I took one photograph of a pier and a friend of mine suggested I do more – I’ve spent three years trying to document every remaining one.
“With Pierdom I wanted to celebrate the personality, architecture and history of each remaining structure – as well as some of the spaces where the piers can no longer be seen.
“I also wanted to investigate the connections between the landscapes and the communities that live and play against the backdrop of these pleasure piers.”
The compilation includes striking images of piers including Worthing, Eastbourne, Hastings and Bognor, as well as Brighton’s very own West Pier and Palace Pier.
Using an old Victorian camera to document each of the piers, Roberts faced challenges along the way.
He said: “Each one had their challenge, I photographed Worthing Pier in a snowstorm with an old Victorian field camera – it wasn’t easy in gale force winds because the camera needs long exposure.
“The piers are mainly Victorian so I wanted to use a camera that presented the same technology.”
When asked about his favourite photograph, Roberts said: “I’m torn between choosing my own hometown’s piers.
“I do love the West Pier because there are so many elements to it – you can see the backdrop of the town as well as a couple drinking wine or a person walking their dog.
“However, Tynemouth is probably my favourite because it just has these strange structures – it looks so bizarre.”
Film material which follows Robert’s Pierdom journey, along with the history of Brighton’s piers, will be available to view at the exhibition.
Together with items from the museum’s local history and personal stories of seaside memories, visitors will also be encouraged to leave their own ‘pier stories’.
The full exhibition can be seen from the October 3 until February 16.
SEVEN OF THE LANDMARKS FEATURED
1. Brighton West Pier
Brighton’s West Pier opened in 1866 and closed in 1975. Major sections of the pier collapsed in late 2002 and two fires in March and May 2003 left the structure in disrepair.
2.Bournemouth Pier
Bournemouth Pier was opened to the public in August 1880 by the Lord Mayor of London. 838 ft in length, the pier was substantially demolished by soldiers in 1940 as a precaution against German invasion. The pier was repaired and re-opened in 1946.
3. Palace Pier
Palace Pier was opened in May 1899 after costing a record £27,000 to build. During the Second World War the 1,716 ft pier was closed and some decking was removed as a security precaution. As of February 2001, it was one of 70 Grade ll-listed buildings in Brighton and Hove.
4. Cleethorpes
Cleethorpes pier was officially opened on August Bank Holiday Monday 1873. 1,200 ft in length the pier was financed by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway. A section was, however, cut out of the pier during the Second World War to protect it from any German invasions.
Eastbourne Pier was opened in June 1870 by Lord Edward Cavendish, although it was not actually completed until two years later. During the Second World War, part of the decking was removed and machine guns were installed in the theatre and an anti-aircraft gun was placed midway along the pier. The building close to the front of the pier is being rebuilt following the fire last summer.
6. Worthing Pier
Worthing Pier was opened on the April 12, 1862. The pier is 960 ft in length. It was sectioned in 1940 for fear of German invasion and a large hole was also blown in the pier to prevent it being used as a possible landing station.
Hastings Pier was opened on August 5, 1872 and is 910ft long. The pier played host in the 1960s and the 1970s to notorious artists such as The Rolling Stones, The Who, Tom Jones, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd.
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