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Exhibiting seaside-inspired works 'a privilege'

Jadzia Samuel,In Hastingsand
Cash Murphy,South East
News imageJadzia Samuel/BBC Photographer JJ Waller at his Beside the Sea photography exhibition at the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery. JJ is wearing a striped Fila jacket and is holding a circular tube which says "Greetings from JJ Waller's St Leonards".Jadzia Samuel/BBC
Brighton-based photographer JJ Waller says there is "a lot of source material" by the seaside

The photographer behind a seaside-inspired exhibition in Hastings says it is "a privilege" to showcase his work in the town for the first time.

JJ Waller's Beside the Sea exhibition - a selection of images from coastal towns across the South East and beyond - is on display at the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery.

For the photographer, this exhibition is about finding out "who the British are", with the seaside a fitting place to do that.

He says: "I'm an inquisitive person... [and] there's an ever-changing palette, so as somebody who enjoys walking and observing, and being out with the camera, there's a lot of source material."

News imageJadzia Samuel/BBC Some of the art provided for JJ Waller's Beside the Sea exhibition at the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery. A huge vertical picture of people on the beach hangs in the middle of the image, with a number of framed pictures seen either side. A pink display outlining the exhibit can be seen on the right-hand side of the image. All pictures are set against a purple wall.Jadzia Samuel/BBC
This exhibition explores quintessential British seaside scenes, including the quirks and characters that bring them to life

This exhibition was originally on display in Brighton last year as part of a collaboration with the late photographer, Martin Parr.

Following this Waller was invited to bring the exhibition to Hastings.

Reviewing the exhibition, fellow artist David Shrigley described Waller as "really relentless" in the way he takes photographs.

"He's [Waller] got a great eye, but to get a great shot you've got to be really diligent, and he is a very diligent photographer," Shrigley told BBC South East.

News imageJadzia Samuel/BBC Some of the art provided for JJ Waller's Beside the Sea exhibition at the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery. Several images, primarily of people sunbathing at the beach, can be seen. All pictures are set against a purple wall.Jadzia Samuel/BBC
Local artists were also invited to create a piece of work centred around the idea of a souvenir, either real souvenir or imagined

The photographer recalls having something of a brainwave after viewing the exhibition space for the first time.

He said: "I came up with the concept of inviting artists, mostly from our part of the world - Margate to Worthing, Shoreham, Brighton, and here in Hastings - I invited them to create a piece of work in response to the idea of a souvenir, either a real souvenir, or an imagined souvenir."

These creations sit as part of the exhibition alongside other artwork.

Waller says he has relished the opportunity to put on a show in a town he feels a real "affinity" for.

"I started off coming here just to have a look around, and I've been coming here for 18 years now," he added.

Beside the Sea is open until 5 April.

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