The result of a year-long participatory digital arts project by local film maker and photographer Barbara Santi, the exhibition explores issues of work, community and cultural identity through the visual medium, including moving and still images, new technology, storytelling and personal objects.

As well as inviting response to the issues faced in farming today, the exhibition will allow visitors to experience the sights, sounds, thoughts and feelings of farming life on a new level.

Three farming families were chosen to reflect the diverse farming community of the area over the past two years - Roz and Jim Nixon of Trewoof Wartha, Monica and Roy Olds of Mulfra Farm and David and Derek Eddy of Boleigh Farm.

"They have captured their world with video and photography better than I ever could because they are actually living it and all they needed was the technology to record it," says Barbara.

"This form of media is important for personal, social, community and creative development. The project will be the first of its kind to engage with the local farming community. We don't expect to change the world with this project but we do hope to highlight things that our communities can celebrate in and importantly local council and government will take into consideration."

An online version of the exhibition at www.farmingfamilies.org will be a celebration of the farming seasonal year and use interactivity to explore the themes and stories of the three farms. This collection reflects, extends and complements the exhibition at the gallery.

Farming Families runs from tomorrow to January 13 at Newlyn Art Gallery. It is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm. Call 01736 363715 or visit www.newlynartgallery.co.uk for more information.

article copyright WESTERN MORNING NEWS 

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