Express & Star

Former Express & Star photographer launches book

A former Express & Star photographer who has become a successful, international portrait and documentary photographer, is releasing a new book detailing his experiences.

Published
The Allotment by Matt Writtle.

Matt Writtle, who was born in Wordsley, will launch his first photo book, ‘Sunday: A Portrait of 21st Century England’, which documents what people now do in England do on a Sunday.

The book was inspired by the fact that only 2 per cent of people in England now visit church on a Sunday and is being published following a successful Kickstarter campaign.

It was launched at The Photographer’s Gallery, London, on Thursday whilst an accompanying exhibition will be taking place at the A-side B-side Gallery in the capital from November 2 to 7.

Since 1992, Matt, who used to deliver the Express & Star before taking up a photography role with the firm, has travelled the world documenting news, social and humanitarian issues

for national and international publications such as The Times, London Evening Standard, The Guardian, New York Times, The Australian and the Hong Kong Standard.

After a four years living and working abroad, Matt, whose parents still live in Wordsley, returned to England and noticed a distinct cultural shift.

He realised that church attendance had continued to decline while Sunday trading legislation and the growth of the internet had contributed to faster-paced, 24/7 lifestyles, making it harder for people to switch off from work and the world. It was this shift that inspired his book.

Speaking of the launch of the book, Matt said: ""

To find out more about the book, or to buy a copy, visit www.mattwrittle.com.