bhopal
Andy Moxon

exhibition venue: Town Hall

In May 2001 I spent a month in Bhopal photographing the scene and survivors of the 1984 Union Carbide Gas Disaster.

The Gas Cloud on the night of December 3rd 1984 contained similar properties and chemicals to Mustard Gas that was used in the First World War. Similarly, just as the Great War soldiers were sent home to die (many taking over two decades to do so), the people of Bhopal were paid an average single payment of 15,000 rupees (£250) and left ‘to get on with it’. In addition, the Indian authorities (owners of the factory site) have yet to clear the thousands of tons of deadly chemicals and plant left behind. DDT, Lindane, Sevn and Mercury are present in ground soil and water supplies around the townships bordering the factory walls - they continue to poison the unfortunate residents.

Bhopal remains the largest industrial disaster in the world. It still claims lives each month. The medical cases of direct gas exposure are being overtaken by new problems of ground pollution, genetic deformity and high cancer rates. Perhaps this sorry aftermath and subsequent relief attempts can act only as role models of human inefficiency, bureaucracy and greed?

Biography / curriculum vitae:
Education:
MA Edinburgh College of Art;
BA Edinburgh College of Art

Positions held:
Freelance Photographer, Lecturer

Exhibitions solo:
National Scottish Portrait Galley 2000;
Edinburgh International Festival 2000;
Edinburgh College of Art 1999

Exhibitions group:
Gloucester Guildhall 2002;
Scottish National Portrait Gallery 2002; University of Northumberland 2001;
Richard Goodall Gallery Manchester 2001;
Association of Photographers Gallery London 2001;
Design Centre Leeds 2001;
Sharjah Arts Museum UAE 2000;
Focus Gallery London 2000;
Royal Scottish Academy 2000/1999/1998;
BBC Scotland (installation) 1999;
Collins Gallery Glasgow 1999;
Viewpoint Gallery Salford 1999;
Association of Photographers Gallery London 1998;
Royal Photographic Society Bath 1998;
Conningsby Gallery London 1997;
Arts Centre Dundee 1997;
Edinburgh College of Art 1997

Publications:
Weekend Guardian Magazine (August ) 2002;
Fine Art of the Camera (NSPG Catalogue) 2002; Shot Up North (AOP Catalogue) 2001;
Fuji Film Awards (AOP Catalogue) 1998;
Source Irish Photography Review 1998.

For further information on Andy Moxon 's work visit this web site: www.shotupnorth.co.uk/sun2000/moxon1.html
[the hereford photography festival is not responsible for the contents of these external sites. If you encounter a broken link please inform the webmaster]