Photo exhibition showcases work of local artisans

Furniture maker Tim Constable is one of the artisans featured in the exhibition

A photographic exhibition capturing the work of Kent artisans has opened to the public.

The 'Makers of Sevenoaks' showcase was created from a book of photography by Roger Lee.

Mr Lee, who was an academic before he pursued photography, dedicated 12 months to capturing 16 artisanal creators in their work environments.

The 79-year-old said: "Our aim was to celebrate makers and making and to draw attention to the amazing creativity on our doorsteps which had not previously been widely realised."

Assisted by Lesley Lee and graphic designer Victoria Granville, the book was transformed into an exhibition.

Mr Lee said: "We started to plan the exhibition in late 2023 after notification of a grant from Sevenoaks District Council's Cultural Sector Development Fund which helped to cover the sizeable costs of printing."

Mr Lee and his colleagues put out a call for people to send in their photographs.

He said: "As a result of advertisements, articles in the local press and Victoria's imaginative and hard work on social media, we had over 60 submitted photographs from individual makers."

Visitors will see photographs of craftsmen and women creating hats, knives, violins, cheese, furniture and jewellery.

The exhibition at the Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Gallery, at Sevenoaks Library, will be held from 28 August until 14 September.

Scientific instrument maker and restorer

Victor Burness, a scientific instrument maker and restorer

Blacksmith

Mr Lee captured the moment David Harman was working at his furnace

Furniture maker

Tim Constable photographed in his workshop

Cheesemakers

Carla and Robin Betts from Winterdale cheesemakers

Knife maker

Clive Witton in his workshop

Roger Lee, the photographer behind the 'Makers of Sevenoaks'

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