ralph wallis: is this seat taken?
2016
Ralph Wallis (1932-2024) was a lesser-known but prolific photographer and also my Great Uncle. His career in photography began in the 1950s at the Yorkshire Evening News where he worked as a photojournalist, documenting life on the streets of Leeds and unknowingly capturing a visual record of the city and its people. This work was woven with intimate portraits of our family and most notably his wife, muse and love of his life, June.
Ralph went on to become a photography technician at Leeds College Of Art and subsequently Lecturer In Charge of Photography. At that time there were no photographic facilities so he established the very first darkroom at the Vernon Street campus thus paving the way for future students including me.
After his time at the College he emigrated to Canada where he worked as a staff photographer for Vancouver Life and Guide Magazine. He remained there and lived out his life as a passionate photographer until his death in early 2024.
Through our shared love and skill for photography I have become custodian of this archive. In 2016, I curated an exhibition of the work at the Vernon Street Gallery as part of the Leeds College of Art 170th Anniversary Programme, bringing his life and photography full circle. The exhibition was featured by the Yorkshire Evening Post BBC Leeds Online and Made in Leeds Television.
There is a self-published catalogue available to purchase through the online store
