A photographer from Oldham whose works coincide with a 'very personal journey' is staging an exhibition in his hometown this December.

Lee Cooper who is a photographer born and raised in Oldham has a passion for capturing "the essence of the world" through his lens.

While the exhibition at Gallery Oldham, held from December 9 to March 9, 2024, documents a curated assembly of imagery that "whisper tales" of Manchester, Blackpool, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and "everywhere in between", Mr Cooper said the photographs also document his very personal journey over the past two years.

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In October 2020, he disclosed to another person for the first time that he was sexually abused as a child.

The Oldham Times: The photographer has snapped many places in Manchester, including Dimitri's seen here (left)The photographer has snapped many places in Manchester, including Dimitri's seen here (left) (Image: Lee Cooper)

Like many survivors, he said he felt this was a "crushing and shameful secret" that he suffered with in silence for 17 years and he experienced dissociating - a coping mechanism used by survivors of abuse which he described as "disconnecting" from the real world.

He explained: "When your reality and experiences are too unbearable, your mind will disconnect from reality, leaving you in a place nowhere, simply existing rather than living. Here, but not present."

The Oldham Times: Lee Cooper documents the 'essence of the world', shown here in his photographs, 'The Recession' (left) and 'Away from Here' (right)Lee Cooper documents the 'essence of the world', shown here in his photographs, 'The Recession' (left) and 'Away from Here' (right) (Image: Lee Cooper)

As a result, Mr Cooper has set up his exhibition with the same name, Place Nowhere, to unveil his artistry but also to form as a "sanctuary to shatter the shroud of silence veiling the struggles of mental health and the harrowing experience of sexual abuse".

The photographs hold a hidden beauty which can be revealed through an augmented reality app, Artivive, which when pointed at the creations will "unearth what lies within".

Mr Cooper added: "It's no secret that Edward Hopper is a huge artistic influence of mine, so I have created a series of Midjourney images in his style that used my photograph as a template to create the best of both worlds.

The Oldham Times: From his USA shots files includes this image, entitled 'McNighthawks'From his USA shots files includes this image, entitled 'McNighthawks' (Image: Lee Cooper)

"The plan is when you point your camera at my photograph while using the app, the image will come to life.

"What a time to be alive."

The immersive experience has been brought to life by Mr Cooper and Anna Burrows, a motion designer, 3D graphic designer and freelance event visuals designer.

Ms Burrows has used a stop motion illustrative technique to reference te painting style of Edward Hopper.

The photographer himself will also be there at Gallery Oldham to welcome guests for its opening launch on Saturday, December 9, between 2 and 4pm.

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