Borderlands: The Edges of Europe is a collection of analogue photographs representing the people and places along the borders of the European Union.

Leonardi is interested in concepts of identity, memory and territory and how those have been shaped by events; investigating how communities relate to the land they inhabit and to their European identity.

Borders are lines on a map, which the photographer follows, travelling mainly on foot in order to foster casual encounters and collect stories along the way. The photographs explore the connection between people and territory and the significance of trans-national and trans-cultural identities.

About the artist
Paola Leonardi is a London-based photographer and a lecturer in Photography at UCS in Ipswich.

Since completing an MA in Image and Communication at Goldsmiths in 2006, Paola has worked commercially alongside developing personal projects. Her work has been previously sponsored by Arts Council England and she has exhibited in the UK, Italy, Armenia and the US.

Borderlands runs from April 14 to May 23 at Ipswich’s Waterfront Gallery. There will also be an artist’s talk led by Paola on April 29 from 4–5pm, preceding the Private View from 6-8pm.