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We are proud to present two stunning exhibitions by David Tunnicliffe, showcasing black and white photographs taken during his travels in the Middle East. In a career spanning over forty years, David’s work as a diplomat and an academic took him to the far corners of the earth, giving him access to unique photographic opportunities denied to many.
The Road to Palmyra
David’s striking images of Palmyra were taken during a visit to Syria in 1993, making them a crucial document in preserving the history of one of the “seven wonders of the Middle East”, and showcasing the magnificence and beauty of this grand city in the desert. In the 1st century BCE, the oasis city of Palmyra, in the centre of modern Syria, was on the main trade route between the Levant and Mesopotamia. Palmyra was incorporated into the Roman Empire during the reign of Tiberius, eventually becoming a luxurious stop and trading station on the Silk Road. In the 20th century, the ruins of ancient Palmyra were carefully preserved and restored, becoming a favoured destination for modern explorers and seasoned travellers, away from the beaten track of the tourist trail. Tragically, in 2015 the city became the target of ISIS, who decimated the ancient towers, museums and theatres, turning them to rubble, and killing the proud custodians of the city, increasing the importance of David’s images as a lasting reminder of what has been lost.
Travels With A Tangerine
Taking his inspiration from Ibn Battuta, a 14th century traveller, David began his worldwide travels in India in 1967, taking his camera to Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, capturing his own photographic record of the places he visited and the people he met. Ibn Battuta was a Magrebhi scholar, who began a 30 year spiritual journey in 1325, covering over 75,000 miles, and recording his experiences in a travel memoir known as the Rihla.
Ibn Battuta’s Rihla remains a leading source of contemporary knowledge about the areas he visited, and today his memory is still honoured in the name of modern-day Tangier’s international airport. This beautiful and powerful exhibition represents a mere fraction of the tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of images taken by David during his own Rihla, with the title of the exhibition playfully referring to Ibn Battuta’s Moroccan origins.
About the photographer
In a career spanning more than 30 years his photographic archive holds a vast collection of images from almost every corner of the world. His experience in the diplomatic, commercial and academic worlds have given him unique access to photographic opportunities denied to many. He has taught photography in Ethiopia, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Egypt and in the UK and has a wealth of experience working with museums and international universities on everything from Third Century BC artifacts in Egypt and Neolithic Man in Somalia to reclaiming photographic prints from WWII in Australia.