CHESTER Cathedral has been chosen to be part of the Tom Stoddart series of memorial exhibitions throughout 2022.

One of the undoubted skills of reportage photography is the ability to discover the extraordinary in what may at first glance seem mundane. 

A quote from Tom sums this up: ”You make pictures with what’s in your head and your heart and your feet. A terrific still photograph remains one of the most powerful weapons that is around - it is storytelling with a camera - a box with a hole in that allows you to tell stories which is as old as time, if you’re good at it and you’re curious and you tell them in a unique way or the best way you can people will always want to see them or know about things. Photojournalism will be around forever.”

Tom Stoddart had an incredible award-winning career, spanning 50 years, and captured momentous fragments of history; spanning the decades from the war in Lebanon (during which he accompanied celebrated Sunday Times foreign correspondent Marie Colvin)  to the fall of the Berlin Wall to covering the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa.  

An exhibition featuring a selection of images from his final book - Extraordinary Women: Images of Courage, Endurance and Defiance, celebrates the strong will of women throughout the world during times of war, poverty and hardship, will be displayed at Chester Cathedral from June 9 – July 11.

Sharon Price, co-founder of Photo North said: “Part of Photo North ethos is our commitment to supporting those marginalised, powerless and discriminated against.

"Raising awareness by presenting thought provoking, evocative documentary images and screenings.

"Tom was a guiding light towards the truth and the good for many, it was an honour to be personally asked by Tom to curate this exceptional body of work for Chester Cathedral and to be able to bring it to the people of Chester.”

Tim Stratford, Dean of Chester said: “We are delighted to present Extraordinary Women: Images of Courage, Endurance, and Defiance to Chester Cathedral this June,

"The work of Tom Stoddart is challenging, thought-provoking, and moving: all qualities present in our own Cathedral.  

"We are thrilled to be able to provide a space for people to encounter this poignant body of work focussed on women, particularly in this year of Platinum Jubilee celebrations”

Caroline Cortizo, representative of the Tom Stoddart Estate and close friend of the family will be attending the launch evening for a live Q&A with Peter Dench, also a close friend and industry colleague of Tom.

The Cathedral is open 10am - 5pm, Monday to Saturday, and 12 noon to 5pm on Sundays.