(Dis)connect by Bev Stoves
Over the weekend, Club member Bev Stoves, held an exhibition at Broadway, Nottingham, called “(Dis)connect”. This formed part of her final degree project at Lincoln University and offered a poignant commentary on modern digital life. The exhibition opens with a striking two-minute video that captures the relentless presence of mobile phones in our lives, layered with the familiar tones of notifications and message alerts. This sets the scene for the rest of the exhibition — a call to awareness about our growing disconnection from the real world.
Bev presents 20 mounted and framed images that contrast this digital overload with scenes of reconnection: individuals who have put their phones aside in favour of real-world experiences. Her subjects are immersed in activities like open water swimming, walking, fishing, and kayaking, all set against expansive landscapes. The use of negative space throughout these photographs powerfully emphasizes solitude, freedom, and the richness of the outdoor environment.
Balancing her career as a full-time financial adviser, Bev has completed her degree while continuing to serve her clients — a testament to her dedication and passion for both photography and her professional work. “(Dis)connect” is both a personal and societal reflection, urging us to reconsider our relationship with technology and rediscover the joy of genuine human experience.
