13 THE ART OBSERVER June 2007 By Clare O’Mahoney DUBLIN-BORN  Jennie Keegan has been pursuing a flourishing photography career in Manchester for nearly eight years. Specialising in city scenes and feminine culture, Jennie finds the city of Manchester a great inspiration for her work. “Just walking through the streets excites me and you never know what’s going to happen next”, muses Jennie, which explains why her next big plan is to move to the busy metropolis of New York to continue her ambitions to become a successful photographer. Jennie’s work clearly demon- strates how much she has been influenced by Manchester and feminine culture, so how will moving to New York affect her topics and her obsession with imagery? “New York will be great for both my topics and, combined with my fascination for the place, seems an ideal location for me!” she says. After completing a degree in Visual Arts at Salford University Jennie realised that what she really wanted to do was to become a full time professional photographer, “I’ve always wanted photography to play a large part in my life. Through endless tutorials and discussions with my artist based tutors at university it was clear that I was inspired by city scenes. Ever since I was a teenager I have had a romantic, movie influenced view of New York”. And just like in the movies, Jennie will fly off into the sunset for three months this coming September to become an intern in the renowned photography agency Group M35 based in New York. Group M35 is a photography agency that supports and exhibits the work of eighteen documentary and fine art photographers. After an in-depth telephone interview with the assistant director Jennie was offered a place on this prestigious placement. After organising and exhibiting her work in the successful mixed exhibitions at Sofa bar in Fallowfield which specialises in displaying art by up and coming artists from Manchester and is supported by the well known interactive urban arts group Sketch City, Jennie will be working at the New York agency four days a week alongside experienced photographers. She will be assisting in the running of the agency and organising exhibitions, “They also hold monthly one-on-one meetings with the director where I can discuss my ideas” states Jennie. Jennie has worked very hard, holding down two jobs; she has worked as a photographer for New I.D. in Manchester’s city centre whilst continuing with her job of five years as gallery assistant with the Wendy J Levy Contemporary Art Gallery in Didsbury where she has helped in all aspects of running the gallery. Wendy Levy , the gallery director says that she will miss Jennie; “I am very happy to see Jennie taking the steps needed to fulfil her ambition but I am also very sorry to see her go. She has been my right hand for such a long time, helping and supporting me in my work. She has made a lot of friends through the gallery and we are all going to miss her a great deal.”   So what will Jennie miss most about Manchester? “I’ll miss the people and the random discoveries of interesting places and inspiration   I constantly stumble across!” And likewise we can imagine New York is poised to discover Jennie’s talents as a photographer when she arrives there. JENNIE BITES THE BIG APPLE This exclusive Victorian town house is set in the fashionable Manchester suburb of Didsbury. Known for its exquisite and individual contemporary interiors, Eleven Didsbury Park offers 20 rooms and 2 residents bar/lounges, along with an exquisite garden area making it an idylic setting for private celebrations. This unique property has retained its reputation for individual style, service and attention to detail, providing a unique and relaxing experience in a convenient yet peaceful location. This contemporary Victorian Villa is a statement in individual design, bringing influences from around the world to the fashionable suburb of Didsbury. Didsbury House features 27 bedrooms, a residents bar/lounge and So Spa, all reflecting the hotels sophisticated contemporary design and providing a chic urban retreat for both business and leisure guests wishing to enjoy a relaxed stay in Manchester. Make these hotels exclusively yours. Indulge in this luxurious experience for your very own celebration or event. Eleven Didsbury Park  Tel: 0161 448 7711 Didsbury House Hotel  Tel: 0161 448 2200 www.didsburyhouse.com and Great John Street Hotel, Central Manchester  Tel: 0161 831 3211 e l e v e n   d i d s b u r y   p a r k a retreat from the urban rush “A piece of New York in Didsbury” “A peaceful and beautiful haven” d i d s b u r y   h o u s e a contemporary victorian villa