Industrious Ian scoops two awards

THE Chinese Government has presented a Greenfield photographer with two major awards following an exhibition of his work in Shenyang.

Ian Beesley (59) was honoured for his “exceptional contribution to the photography of industry and workers” through his exhibition at the International Industrial Photography Festival at China’s National Museum of Industry.

Ian, who has held five exhibitions in China in his 35-year career as a documentary photographer, also picked up Best Curated Show award at the festival for the British Photography and Industrial Society: A Brief History exhibition.

At the centre of the show, which contained industrial photographs taken in Britain throughout history, was a panorama of Oldham taken in 1876.

Ian, course leader for MA photography at the University of Bolton, said: “I was amazed when I won the first award and the second was an even bigger surprise. It was like winning a lifetime achievement award. I wasn’t expecting anything from the exhibition but it felt fantastic to win for my work as both a photographer and curator.”