The changing fortunes of Rhyl as a holiday resort are laid bare in a new photographic exhibition at Chester’s Grosvenor Museum.
End of the Season chronicles the development and decline of the town’s fairground, seafront and caravan parks during the second half of the 20th century.
The exhibition showcases the work of artist Stephen Clarke, who has photographed the seaside resort since the early 1980s in an attempt to reclaim imagery from his childhood holidays.
Drawing on his collection of print ephemera, Stephen’s photographs and photomontages reflect upon the idealised scenes in postcards and family snapshots and contrast these with the prosaic reality.
The exhibition, which runs until October 18, includes cine film of family holidays in the 1960s, postcards of Rhyl showing features which no longer exist and black and white photos of the resort in the 1980s.
Cabinet member for culture, health and wellbeing, Cllr Louise Gittins, said: “Stephen Clarke’s fascinating exhibition is a must-see for anyone with fond childhood memories of holidaying in Rhyl.
“Much of the exhibition explores the town in the 1960s and features once distinct landmarks such as The Pavilion and Ocean Beach fairground which have, over time, disappeared.
“Through photography, it documents the ebb and flow of development and decline of the resort while offering a unique and very personal perspective through the artist’s own family snapshots.”
Born in 1962, Stephen Clarke is an artist, writer and lecturer. He studied fine art and photography at Newport Art College, South Wales and followed this with Masters’ degrees in contemporary art and theory and fine art printmaking.
The Grosvenor Museum is open every day of the week. Details are available at www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk.
