SINCE exhibiting in New York’s prestigious Circle Gallery as a second-year university student, Paul Wolfgang Webster has seen a stellar photography career spanning 30 years. Made in the North is his latest project, based on the philosophy that ‘whilst the North is always changing, the people essentially remain the same’. Celebrities like Tony Wilson and Maxine Peake are portrayed alongside tenacious locals: young snooker players, struggling artists, flamboyant drag queens...
People queued to buy signed copies of Webster’s book
The result is an inspiring, diverse portrait of what it means to be northern. And where better to house such a collection than one of the region’s most iconic venues, Albert Square Chop House? Shot primarily in black and white, over 180 intimate photos line the walls, contrasted with the period tavern’s quintessential British decor.
Rochdale-born photographer Webster has a longstanding acquaintance with the Chop Houses and it’s clear the two go hand in hand. Little surprise, then, that the Made In The North launch party was a sparkling success.
Conversation (and Prosecco) was flowing as Albert’s soon filled. People queued to buy signed copies of Webster’s book, a proportion of whose sales will go to breast cancer charity Genesis, in memory of his late sister.
In the meantime, here are some pictures from the night:
