Welsh RNLI Photographs Preserved in National Collection

Scroll this

January draws to a close with a landmark moment for The Lifeboat Station Project — the National Library of Wales have acquired twenty of my limited edition prints for the National Collection of Welsh Photographs.

The collection houses over 800,000 photographs connected to Wales. These range from works by pioneering photographers from the earliest days of photography to portfolios by contemporary practitioners of the art.

Will Troughton, Curator of Photography, says of the acquisition:

“The National Library of Wales are delighted to add a selection of these stunning portraits and landscapes to our collection where they will sit alongside works by some of the greats of photography.”


The Lifeboat Station Project by Jack Lowe
Behind-the-scenes: Making the Tenby RNLI crew portrait

It’s the first time my photographs have been recognised at a national level in this way. I dreamed this might happen one day but I never expected it would happen while in the midst of making the work — one of the largest photographic projects ever undertaken and currently scheduled to be completed in 2022.

Furthermore, I’m over-the-moon for the RNLI lifeboat volunteers too. I can’t make these photographs without them, so it’s wonderful to see our brave lifeboat volunteers placed on such a high pedestal.


THE TIMELINE SO FAR

updated July 2019


January 2017: The National Library of Wales acquired 20 limited edition prints of Aberystwyth, Angle, New Quay, St David’s and Tenby to be preserved in the National Collection of Welsh Photographs.

March 2018: The NLW launched a year long exhibition of all 20 prints to celebrate the Year of the Sea.

July 2019: The NLW purchased six more prints of Conwy, Moelfre and Trearddur Bay.

You can see all the photographs in a dedicated Gallery I’ve created to honour this landmark event:

The Lifeboat Station Project by Jack Lowe
New Quay RNLI Crew, September 2016, 12×10 inch Clear Glass Ambrotype

The Lifeboat Station Project by Jack Lowe
Six Helms of Conwy, North Wales, April 2019, 12×10 inch Clear Glass Ambrotype

VIEW THE GALLERY


National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
This is where my photographs will be archived

The Lifeboat Station Project by Jack Lowe
Click to see the ITV Wales News report broadcast on 17th February 2017

LIMITED EDITION PRINTS


From RNLI lifeboat crews to Coxswains and boathouse views, you can enjoy these photographs on your own walls too, supporting The Lifeboat Station Project in the process.

Just 50 prints are made from each glass plate, all made, signed, numbered and embossed by Jack Lowe.


The Lifeboat Station Project by Jack Lowe
The old and new St Davids RNLI boathouses, September 2016, 12×10 inch Clear Glass Ambrotype

ORDER PRINTS


THANK YOU


My heartfelt thanks to everybody who has supported the Project so far and helped me get to a point where the work is starting to be recognised in this way.

If you’ve been following the story here, on Facebook and on Instagram for a while, you’ll have got to know me a little bit and gained insight into what it takes to make these photographs.

It ain’t always easy, that’s for sure — here’s a timely reminder of the leap of faith I had to take to get it all underway:


The Lifeboat Station Project by Jack Lowe
Click to read “All or Nothing”

4 MINUTE READ: ALL OR NOTHING

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT


BEHIND THE GLASS: A SHORT FILM BY THE RNLI



NOTE TO COLLECTORS, MUSEUMS and GALLERIES

Please contact me to discuss acquiring the photographs for your collections.


The Lifeboat Station Project by Jack Lowe
Click to order Limited Edition Prints

RNLI PRESS RELEASES


2017: ORIGINAL RNLI PRESS RELEASE

2019: ANGLESEY RNLI PRESS RELEASE2019: CONWY RNLI PRESS RELEASE

2 Comments

  1. Wonderful news Jack.
    Hope that the National Museums of England and Scotland follow Wales’ lead. This is really a another Great Leap Forward for you and the project.

Share your thoughts: