Artist Xavier Marseille has caused a stir on social media after posting his latest work which juxtaposes an old and new Colchester in one seamless image.
Social media has played a big role in the artist’s career and was in fact what inspired him to get back into photography a decade ago.
He has more than 6,000 Twitter followers and he also has a presence on Instagram and Facebook. Before continuing the project, the artist, who studied in Paris, wanted to see what people thought and social media provided a platform for immediate feedback.
After posting only two pictures of Colchester, the enthusiasm that the artist has seen is encouraging.
He said: “People like the fact that they can recognise the area and compare the new and old.”
The 39-year-old is delighted with the positive feedback so far and is motivated to move forward with this project.
He explained: “This is currently the trial and error stage, but people want more.”
The French artist originally moved to England to practise his English with the intention of only being here for six months.
Some 20 years later he now calls Colchester home.
Ultimately he hopes that, provided there are enough images, this project will turn into an exhibition.
After just finishing his last exhibition at Colchester’s Mercury Theatre, the artist is hoping to expand this project to wider Essex.
Mr Marseille is currently on the hunt for old pictures. If you have any historical pictures of Essex please send them via email
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