From bourbon to beer – a Kentuckian in Leeds

There are three things Louisville photographer Michael Brohm wants to see on his visit to Leeds next week; a mill, preferably dark and satanic, a sheep farm, to make the connection with the fleece on the city’s coat of arms and a traditional oak-panelled pub where he hopes to enjoy a pint of warm, creamy-headed beer.

It’s his first trip to the city, he’s coming as part of the twinning arrangement with Louisville and he’s not sure exactly what to expect. Of course he’s Googled and Wikipedia-ed Leeds, so he’s a good idea where we are, but he’s more interested in what we are like, as he’s a keen documentary photographer of people in the places they live, work and play.

“I just want to be dropped into your society and see the city for myself,” said Michael.

He’ll get a chance to do that, as fellow photographers from Exposure Leeds, a social enterprise set up two years ago to encourage individuals and communities to enjoy and develop photography, take him to their favourite haunts, which will certainly include more than one oak-panelled pub.

Although it’s his first trip to Yorkshire, he’s visited the UK before. I did advise him that Yorkshire was not like the rest of the UK, but that didn’t seem to faze him at all, he’s seen a lot of the world and has spent more than 30 years of his life photographing and recording people and events. He’s spent some time in the town of Perm, Russia and has produced a collection of portraits recalling the Cold War.

Michael will also be speaking at Exposure Leeds’ monthly Talk&Social event on 2 March and will be joining a workshop on portraiture on March 5 – both held at Project Space Leeds.

Later this year, it will be the turn of Leeds to go to Louisville when photographer Jon Eland will swap his pint of Tetley’s for a shot of Kentucky bourbon. Michael and the photographers of Louisville will show Jon the photo delights of the town, no doubt comparisons will be made with Leeds. It is then planned for a joint exhibition of both projects in both cities in 2012.

• Exposure Leeds‘ events on March 2 and 5 are open to the public. See website for more.
• Yesterday’s Enemies, Michael’s temporary exhibition of Russian portraits at Project Space Leeds is open Wed 2nd – Sat 5th March.

Reported by Anne Akers, who is a Leeds lass, coffee connoisseur and a director of Exposure Leeds