Another gem of an exhibition in Dorset, this time at the Lighthouse arts centre in Poole.

I first discovered David R Abram‘s extraordinary aerial photographs of ancient sites in Britain through Twitter, serendipitously just before Christmas 2022 when I was trying to find a suitable gift for my husband. David’s book, An Aerial Atlas of Ancient Britain, had just been published by Thames & Hudson and this was the perfect present for my husband who has a keen interest in ancient Britain, in particular neolithic and other sites, of which Dorset, where we now live, has many.

The exhibition at Poole presents a small selection of David’s photographs, and is an excellent introduction to his work. These are large-scale images, taken using modern tech such as flying cameras, drones and telescopic poles. Unlike more traditional documentary aerial photography, these images are not only fascinating for their archaeological significance but also for their great beauty. Shadows and light, time of day and season all contribute to create strikingly atmospheric images. These are large-format composites, created from hundreds of smaller photographs meticulously stitched together to create a stunning whole; as a result they have a remarkable range of detail and tone.

The selection on display in Poole includes a number of Dorset sites, including a breathtaking image of Badbury Rings, one of Dorset’s finest Iron Age hillforts, comprising an enclosure of three concentric circles of low ditches and high banks/rampants, with a wooded area at its centre, where once stood a village of 25 round houses. This image was created from 75 smaller pictures and amply demonstrates David’s skillful, sensitive eye – this is not documentary photography, it’s art in its own right.

In his own words, David’s photographs connect us “with the landscape – and those who inhabited it before us”. They also remind us of the powerful pull of ancient history, and the beauty and variety of the British landscape in which these ancient sites reside.

‘Traces’ continues at the Lighthouse, Poole, until 30th March. David Abrams is giving an illustrated talk at the Lighthouse on Wednesday 20th March. Find out more

Highly recommended

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FW