Sculpture Detail by Leo Reynolds. Courtesy NAC

The sculptures and statues of Norwich and Norfolk have inspired a new photography exhibition showing at the Norwich Arts Centre (NAC) until October 1 2007.

Mementoes and Masterpieces came about through a recent Public Sculpture course at the venue and an open submission process for any local artist.

Steph Kedik, NAC Education Officer, explained: “It’s easy to take our region’s public sculptures and monuments for granted, not really noticing the wide variety and detail of the works of art that we pass as we go out and about.”

“Mementoes and Masterpieces is an exhibition that has provided the opportunity to look closer, through the lens, at these masterpieces.”

Thomas Browne Approves by Mark Wernham. Courtesy NAC

Both amateur and professional photographers have contributed and as well as exploring well-known and controversial works like the Hay Hill sculptures some have sought out more obscure pieces or shown familiar art in a different light.

One of the exhibitors, local artist Leo Reynolds, got wind of the exhibition through the photo sharing website Flickr, where he had put his Norwich photos in a special set:

“Staff at the Norwich Arts Centre found my Norwich sets and left an announcement for the exhibition in the comments section,” he said. “I responded by email. The NAC technician was then able to choose and download the full size files from the US servers for printing and framing. For a local exhibition some of the photographs have travelled thousands of miles!”