Exhibition text – The Thank Yous

There have been many, many people who have helped, supported and inspired me along the way. Close friends and family – past and present – have all encouraged me and chipped away at my doubts, allowing me to continue taking photographs and helping to create this exhibition. You know who you are.

In particular Jim Shannon for his tireless patience and work on the (stunning) posters and invitations as well as the creation and evolution of my website over the last few years.

My mother for not batting an eyelid when I asked if she could do the catering for the private view.

And of course Katz for her advice, understanding and patience as the weekends and evenings disappeared into a haze of darkrooms, social media and monitors.

But it was the crowdfunding campaign that made this exhibition. The amount of people from every corner of my life who stepped up to the mark was truly inspiring and moving. This is for all of you:

Nicoletta Iacobacci – Steven Maniscalco – Martyn Porter – Rob, Vanessa & Layla White – Morgan Sowden – Valentina & Paolo Puggioni – Sharon Mee – Alex Scott – Tiffany & Marc Gibbons – The Appliances Online Washer Dryers – Sofia Tschrepp-Meuriße & Klaus Meuriße – Marieke Barker-Benfield – Kate Cumming – Dave Griffiths – Rob & Kathryn Taylour – Anja Klemensek – Mitch Bligh – Marcin Krupa – Murray Stewart – Lisa Obee – Jodie Deveson – Leona Dean – Björn Söderholm – Peter Demetris – Ian Taylour – Karen Cudmore – Catherine Mann – Daisy Sadleir – Jim Taylour – Liz Walker – Jeremy Powell – Charlie Phillips – Alastair Humphreys – Nick Swain – Riccardo Manzione – Samantha Selvini – Janet Brinkworth – Debs Wall – Esther Cunliffe & Brook Downton – Gary Beckerman – Bob Soltys – Steve Angell – Tabitha Sowden – Iram Quraishi – Dana & Ellie Eloya – Louise Machin – Peter & Linda Savage – Richard Sadleir – Daunton Todd – Alison Roberts – Rob Thorpe – Mel Mason – Gregory Wright at the SJHS

And to those of you who contributed anonymously: You know who you are and the Thank You is equally heartfelt.

Images of Skills, Smells and Spells at The Strand Gallery. PV images by Jim Shannon

Skills, Smells and Spells  by Toby Deveson at The Strand Gallery in London, May and June 2012

Skills, Smells and Spells  by Toby Deveson at The Strand Gallery in London, May and June 2012

Skills, Smells and Spells  by Toby Deveson at The Strand Gallery in London, May and June 2012

Skills, Smells and Spells  by Toby Deveson at The Strand Gallery in London, May and June 2012

Skills, Smells and Spells  by Toby Deveson at The Strand Gallery in London, May and June 2012

Skills, Smells and Spells  by Toby Deveson at The Strand Gallery in London, May and June 2012. Photograph by Jim Shannon.

Skills, Smells and Spells  by Toby Deveson at The Strand Gallery in London, May and June 2012. Photograph by Jim Shannon.

Skills, Smells and Spells  by Toby Deveson at The Strand Gallery in London, May and June 2012. Photograph by Jim Shannon.

Skills, Smells and Spells  by Toby Deveson at The Strand Gallery in London, May and June 2012. Photograph by Jim Shannon.

Skills, Smells and Spells  by Toby Deveson at The Strand Gallery in London, May and June 2012. Photograph by Jim Shannon.

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