It is with deep sorrow that we here at Derby QUAD & FORMAT Festival learn about the passing of John Blakemore. John was a master printmaker, photographer, and friend. John was a pillar of education; he taught at the University of Derby (then Derby Lonsdale College) from 1970 and inspired a generation of photographers. His impact for the development of artists in Derbyshire and the UK was immeasurable. John was a major figure in the expansion of British Photography. His work was shown at the Derby Photography Festival (forerunner of FORMAT) in 1991 and at the second edition of FORMAT 06.

John left an indelible mark on the city of Derby. We are honoured that Derby Museums Trust now hosts within its collection a recent acquisition of John’s work and are grateful to those who allowed that acquisition to happen. It is with pride that we will be exhibiting John’s last agreed exhibition, constituting this recently acquired body of work, as part of the FORMAT25 Programme.

We would like to ask our friends and visitors to join us at the Museum of Making on Thursday 13 March at 7pm for the exhibition opening and celebration of John. Our hearts go out to his family at this difficult time, and we send our sincerest condolences to all who knew him.