The Face of Stoke-on-Trent

SOT Council | 2017

A commission from Stoke on Trent County Council to create a giant artwork and photographic installation as part of Stoke-on-Trent’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021. Jozef Clark, A 23-year-old who used the YMCA to help to turn his life around was chosen to be the Face of Stoke-on-Trent. He was one of 3,550 people who submitted a picture for the exhibition in the city centre. His face is the main, iconic image for the artwork, which is made up of photographs of people from across Stoke-on-Trent. An installation on an adjacent unused building of twenty faces also covers each window.

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Behind the Scenes

 

Testimonials

Working with The Peoples Picture has been an incredible experience for everyone who participated on the Face of Stoke-on-Trent in 2017. The engagement for so many people has been truly memorable. The quality of the work is exemplary and never fails to attract massive and avid attention.

Paul Bailey

Culture and Events Manager, Stoke-on-Trent City Council

What struck me about Jozef as soon as I met him was his larger than life personality, but also underlying there was a real feeling of honesty. As Jozef has disclosed, the YMCA have helped him immensely with his mental health, and he is now doing well in both his professional and personal life. Having Jozef looking directly at the camera, smiling, you get a real sense of the kind, welcoming person he is.

Natalie Willatt

Photographer

We’re delighted that Jozef has been chosen to be the Face of Stoke on Trent. He embodies the positive progress we’re seeing in Stoke-on-Trent – a city which is on the up and moving forward towards a bright future.

Abi Brown

Chair of Stoke on Trent’s UK City of Culture 2021