Leonard McCombe’s wartime photographs are on display on the Isle of Man for the first time, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The exhibition highlights key historical events in Normandy, Berlin, and London, with social history curator Matthew Richardson praising the images as a significant documentary memorial. The display runs until 5 October.
A collection of wartime photographs taken by Manx-born photographer Leonard McCombe is now on display for the first time on the Isle of Man. This exhibition coincides with the 80th anniversary of VE Day and showcases key moments from the closing months of World War Two in Europe. Located at the House of Manannan in Peel, the images capture events in Normandy, Berlin, and London, shedding light on a crucial historical period.
Social history curator Matthew Richardson described the photographs as a “fantastic documentary record of this pivotal moment in the history of Europe.” McCombe, who was born in 1923 and grew up in Port Erin, found his calling in photography early on. His initial assignment involved documenting the alien internment camp for women on the island, after which he ventured through Europe as a photojournalist.
Years after the war, McCombe moved to the U.S. and continued working as a photographer for Life Magazine until the publication ceased. This exhibition, created in collaboration with his family, also pairs with a stamp issue honouring five decades of his work. Clark McCombe, the photographer’s son, expressed pride in seeing his father’s wartime images. “It gives me goosebumps, literally. There’s this chaos of war and he’s there with a camera at only 21 years old,” he shared.
Mr. Richardson noted that McCombe’s keen eye made him uniquely suited to capture moments during the war’s final times. He was present on the Normandy battlefields and in liberated Paris, plus Berlin just after VE Day. Richardson stated, “This exhibition brings home the real consequences of the fighting in Europe, showing what happened to those who lost their homes and everything in the wake of the conflict.” The exhibition is set to run until 5 October.
The exhibition of Leonard McCombe’s wartime photography on the Isle of Man highlights vital moments from the end of World War Two in Europe. It aims to remind viewers of the human toll of conflict, with images capturing the chaos and devastation experienced by countless individuals. This retrospective provides insight into McCombe’s life and work, framing history through his compelling lens.
Original Source: www.bbc.com