Notice: Stunning Twist On Monopoly By Guildford Photographer

Published on: 24 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 17 Feb, 2019

A new dimension has been injected into the classic game of Monopoly by a member of the Guildford Photographic Society.

Peter Merry was seeking to expand his project-based portfolio, so decided to undertake a year-long exploration of the board’s locations.

The challenges presented by the need to illustrate Chance, Jail, Community Chest and Go served as inspiration for creative imagery.

Fenchurch Street by Peter Merry.

Creating three images for each setting, Peter produced a body of work with stunning and thought-provoking imagery. Using a variety of photographic techniques, including reflections, he succeeds in capturing the multiple and contrasting aspects of a site in a single image.

Three of Peter’s images from the Monopoly project were selected as winners of a competition at the Guildford Photographic Society. Judge Ken Scott said he chose Peter’s images because they were not only unusual but drew him in and held his attention. He added that he felt he could enjoy exploring the images all day.

Peter’s original expectation was to photograph the locations along monopoly-based lines, but quickly realised that it would be more interesting to search for the beauty and interest in the detail at each location.

Euston Road by Peter Merry.

Peter said: “While there are grimy parts and a large disparity of wealth within many of the locations, it is surprising how much beauty is to be found in locations such as the Old Kent Road, where people are creating art for the sake of art.”

A blog of his progress and development at each location has proved immensely popular and receives about 200 hits a week. Many people have indicated to him that they enjoy the challenge of tracking down the precise locations of the images and a father and daughter have been inspired to follow the route.

Peter spent an average of one day a week over the period of a year visiting the 40 locations around the board. He walked more than 70 miles in total before the work was completed.

Peter will give a talk at The Guildford Institute in Ward Street on Wednesday, October 2, to coincide with an exhibition in the institute’s Assembly Room of his work from the project. The exhibition will run from Monday, September 23 to Saturday, October 12. A photobook will also be available later this year.

All the images and blogs are available on Peter’s web site www.petermerry.co.uk.