As many of you may know, I’ve been working hard over recent months to strengthen the foundations of The Lifeboat Station Project. It’s a period that has included excellent discussions with the RNLI, the charity that I’ve loved since childhood.
With that in mind, I’m pleased to share this message to all my followers from Eleanor Driscoll at the RNLI, the person who kindly gave my idea the charity’s blessing back in 2014:
Hello, I’m Eleanor Driscoll. I’ve worked with the RNLI for almost 14 years as Film and Image Manager, overseeing the production of RNLI films and photographs for campaigns, marketing and film use. I’m also the person who directed the film about Jack’s work at the bottom of this post.
If you’ve followed Jack’s journey, you’ll be aware that there have been some ups and downs. I wanted to write this in order to address some concerns and also to issue a rallying cry, to encourage people to support Jack on the next stage of his journey.
Jack first contacted me in 2012 with an idea for a photography project about the RNLI. At that time, we were busy promoting Nigel Millard’s book of lifeboat photos Courage On Our Coasts and I felt we didn’t need another photography project.
I hope Jack will agree that this ‘rejection’ was a blessing in disguise, as, when he approached us again in 2014, he told us he had now expanded his idea to use engaging Victorian photographic techniques.
Because we get many people coming to us with ideas that involve photographing or filming our crews, we do have to be selective, primarily because we have to be mindful of our volunteer crews. They already give up a great deal of time for us, so we want to ensure that if we ask them to do anything extra it will be worthwhile.
But I was convinced that Jack’s unique proposal would benefit them — and the RNLI as a whole — so we agreed to give Jack permission to visit all our lifeboat stations.
None of us could have predicted the scale of the reaction to Jack’s work. From the very beginning, The Lifeboat Station Project attracted significant media interest. As a charity reliant on public support, media coverage is vital for us.
Traditionally, media attention has focused on lifeboat rescues. But Jack’s work shone a new light on the RNLI — one that focused on the faces of our volunteer crews. The brave, vulnerable, all-too-human humans that are inside the big orange boats that crash through stormy seas on television news reports.
As well as appearing in countless newspapers, radio shows and TV programmes, the Project found its way into publications that wouldn’t ordinarily feature the RNLI, like Ernest Journal and The Lady – bringing our work to new audiences. It also became extremely popular on social media and Jack has also been asked to give talks in prestigious places like the Apple Store in Covent Garden.
Even though the project hasn’t yet reached the half way point, museums and galleries are already exhibiting Jack’s glass plates and prints.
But an ambitious project on such a massive scale is far from easy.
When he first began The LSP, Jack had hoped to fund it through print sales – but, although print sales remain a mainstay of his income, they are not quite enough to sustain the project on their own. The funds they generate also vary from month to month and, given that the project requires regular financial outlays (glass and chemicals, accommodation and fuel and so on), Jack needed to find additional and regular support.
There was also some confusion about The LSP – many people assumed that it was an ‘official RNLI project’ that was entirely funded by us and therefore, they didn’t appreciate the need to continue supporting him too.
This certainly isn’t the case. Since September 2016, we have given Jack a small licence fee to allow us to use his images on social media to promote our charity, but this covers less than half his costs. He still needs to fund the rest – and pay all his bills.
Simply photographing 238 lifeboat stations using glass plate photography is challenging enough, but on top of that, Jack spends a great deal of time trying to keep it afloat – using social media to encourage people to support the project. He isn’t just a photographer – he’s had to become a product developer, salesman, marketing man and social media professional too.
To be frank, we became concerned about Jack, and not just because we knew that his financial situation was becoming precarious. We are very aware that people who do extraordinary feats – whether that’s epic photographic projects or saving lives at sea — do so at a cost to themselves. Even our lifeboat crews need support and guidance to help them deal with the stresses and strains of their work. Doing something exceptional is never easy, even though sometimes it can appear that way.
To the outside world, The LSP may have looked like an exciting journey around the coast, but behind the scenes, Jack was struggling to cope. We could see that Jack was so committed to the project, he would never want to stop, but we didn’t want him to work himself into the ground.
Over the last few months, we have had some honest conversations, because we at the RNLI wanted to make sure that Jack felt fully able to carry on. He has assured us that he can – and now I want to ask you to help him do just that.
As Film and Image Manager, I know how powerful an image can be. I also know that, when complete, Jack’s body of work will form an unprecedented historical archive. I believe that we are incredibly lucky to be the chosen subject of one of the largest photographic projects ever undertaken.
We at the RNLI recognise and are grateful for Jack’s commitment to The Lifeboat Station Project. We can see it is of enormous benefit to our charity and we are committed to supporting him in all the ways we can. We want to ask you to join us.
If you enjoy following the project online, why not commit a small amount of money per month to keep it on the road? It’s very easy to do via The LSP Society – an online membership platform that allows people to support the project for as little as £1 a month.
As well as being rewarded for your support, becoming a patron also allows you to go ‘behind the scenes’ of an artistic endeavour, and really get involved, as Jack shares the high and lows of his odyssey with his supporters – and often turns to them to ask for their opinions or seeks their input on his work.
Jack estimates that it would only take 4 per cent of the people following him online to sign up as patrons for The Lifeboat Station Project to run smoothly – why not be one of them?
Jack’s photographs will outlive all of us. You have a chance to be a part of creating a body of work that will be seen and admired by future generations, long after we have all gone! What an opportunity that is.
I do hope you will join me and the RNLI in supporting The Lifeboat Station Project.
Eleanor Driscoll
BECOME A PATRON OF THE PROJECT
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT JACK’S JOURNEY
MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT
FURTHER READING
Jack explains the importance of supporting artists:
TURNING THE TIDE TO KEEP ART ALIVE
Learn more about Jack’s incredible journey:
BEHIND THE GLASS
A short film by the RNLI about The Lifeboat Station Project
Released October 2016
https://vimeo.com/187357213
Oh my word Jack, I wish I could clone myself or hop in my teleporter so I could give you a massive hug. This is amazing! You must be thrilled to bits and so inspired to crack on with the next mission. Happy Days! Sx
Thank you, Sarah!
I believe that you had to reach this point almost alone to show people that it was something you both intended and were capable of completing. I think that is clear to us all now. You will and you can do it! This endorsement of your project by the RNLI, so well articulated by Eleanor Driscoll, is exactly what you and we your Patrons needed to go forward. It is timely too with spring coming and the sun returning to the northern skies. It should give anyone the courage to commit to a sum of money each month, be it small, for every little helps. That your project is about the men and women of the service is what stands it apart. For while the boats are so amazing in themselves, it is the people who are at the heart of every rescue. Now Scotland is calling, “Haste ye back!” So, “Awa wi’ ye!”
Why, thank you, Father. Wish you were coming with me on this one around an old stomping ground… Probably Your Son Jack
I am so proud to be a supporting patron on Patreon of Jack’s work. As an artist myself, I know the difficulties in sustaining a life that leaves room for creating. It has been, and probably still is, a challenge for Jack and his family. It is of paramount importance that we who enjoy his work, support him as best we can, if we want to enjoy more of it in the future! It is my intention, with my humble monthly Patreon contribution, to help Jack focus on his important work, rather than worrying about the money. I hope more people jump on the Patreon bandwagon to show Jack appreciation for his VERY. SPECIAL.WORK.
Goodness, Beth! What a lovely comment. Very pleased that you’re supporting me from across The Pond on Patreon…an honour! Best wishes and thanks again, Jack
Hi Jack, your Photos look amazing. This has also brought back fond memories for me to of my late father,we used to own a life boat which was named Ishbara when she came out of commission, we brought her back to Beumaris From Ibiza , she was built in 1904 called James And May Walker, after a long story , she has now been reunited with Anstruther life boat station in Scotland where part of the crew and fantastic skilled Volunteers have restored her back to how she was. How i can not thank those people and crew enough for restoring there History. Maybe this would make a great pic of the New Crew with the old Boat Taken with the Victorian Lens, to sit next to the old Photos of her, we have not yet seen her Restored and are going to be hopefully going this year. Good luck with your Mission Jack.
Thank you for sharing this, Stacey, and for all your kind words. Best wishes, Jack