THE siren call that Dave Dee’s Banana Warehouse was on the precipice of closure prompted freelance photographer Eloise Ross to record one of York’s most characterful emporiums.
“I’d always loved the individuality of this warehouse, and originally when I heard it might be closing felt that the uniqueness of the space should be captured,” she says. “Happily it’s now remained open and Dave Dee has kindly agreed to show my photographs within the warehouse.”
On show at the Piccadilly premises are nine photographs by Eloise, three in the window and six spread around the front area, as well five different card designs for sale.
“Hopefully, my photographs will help you to see why I love this warehouse. It’s a real York institution,” she says. “For those who don’t know, Dave Dee’s is a fantastic second-hand warehouse where you can find all manner of things, from a bike for kids and a bed for the spare room, to shop mannequins, model cars, vintage clothes and, in my case, inspiration.
“There’s so much stuff in the warehouse that you can sometimes be a little overawed by it all, but if you look closely, you will usually find what you’re looking for and may spot a real gem.”
Eloise’s photographs may make you look at the Banana Warehouse paraphernalia in a different light. “For this project, I’ve used my creative eye to pick out individual scenes from the warehouse that show the eclectic mix of objects on display and the unexpected beauty and order that they have, which can easily be overlooked by the casual observer,” she says.
Eloise first developed her passion for the camera when specialising in photography during her fine art degree at Nottingham Trent University. “Now, after leaving my full-time job earlier this year following the birth of my first child, I’m taking the opportunity to increase the amount of project and freelance photography work that I undertake,” she says.
And so, at the place where Dave Dee shifts things, Eloise will do her photographic thing on an open-ended basis.
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