On the 23rd of May, photographer Brian Mosley will bring all the warmth and local pride of community forum, ‘Love Sheffield’, to the Cathedral’s 1554 Café. At 23,000 strong, the online community is a thriving space for people across the region to share their love for the Steel City and its surroundings. Brian, Love Sheffield’s founder, describes how sharing photos and videos on the platform has proved an effective tool in creating unity and compassion in the often divisive world of social media.
“All we do, is create this peaceful, personal space online and we connect by sharing our views of Sheffield that we love, and we love to share.”
Having utilised photography to both explore and appreciate his surroundings for over thirty years, Brian has drawn on his personal connection to sharing these experiences as a means of wholly embracing our shared environment.
“Generally, when I’ve been at my happiest in life, I’ve been more connected with beautiful things around us. So I’ve tended to use photography to connect with the real world, to focus on things I appreciate.”
This capacity of the digital sphere, to serve as a medium for creating personal and community connections, has perhaps never been more evident than during the social-to-digital acrobatics which we all performed during the various lock-downs of the past two-years. As we tentatively move forward, Brian reflects on the importance of connection being one of the valuable lessons learned during the pandemic, and how Love Sheffield will continue to strive towards developing this community connection.
“We continue our purpose in Love Sheffield, which is helping people to become more connected, on every level; connected with their personal sense of agency; connected with their power to live their own lives; connecting with eachother in friendship; and connecting with our surroundings and our heritage across the city.”
To celebrate this process, the online community of Love Sheffield will be brought to life at an ongoing exhibition at Café 1554. Here, you will find prints and postcards of some of Brian’s most popular photographs, available for purchase, order, or simply to enjoy in a peaceful and reflective ode to the Steel City. Indeed, it is typical of the ethos and mission statement of Love Sheffield that Brian suggests we view the exhibition, fundamentally, as another opportunity for the people of Sheffield to connect over the shared adoration of their home. Ultimately, with the long-term view to establish a number of ‘friendship venues’ which similarly celebrate our shared environment, across the city.
“We hope that the Cathedral café could become one of many ‘friendship venues’. Where people come together and connect in the real world, to have a focal point where people who love Sheffield can come together and enjoy being in a space that is peaceful, and celebrates Sheffield.”
For those wishing to experience Sheffield in all of its beauty, both visual and social, the exhibition will launch on the 23rd of May, with the view to update and refresh the displays over time. Keep an eye out for some of Brian’s personal favourites, Hendo the Panda, and the Stannage Edge millstones.
Café 1554, Sheffield Cathedral, Church St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 1HA.
23/05/2022 onwards.
