Ray Hely: An Engineer's Eye

Ray Hely (born 1930) was a Senior Civil Engineer employed by Liverpool City Council from 1971 to 1993. Ray was aware that Liverpool was rapidly changing, particularly the Central Business District and land released for subdivision and development. His photographic skills were recognised by Council with an initial request to photograph Liverpool City Council’s 1971 celebrations, which included the Festival of Progress. This informal commission grew into a rare and extensive photographic archive, films and industrial heritage artefacts, which he salvaged from Liverpool Powerhouse, now Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. They are the official, unofficial and unseen Liverpool - spanning over two decades into the 1990’s. Look back, consider progress and reflect on today with 2020 vision through rear lens of An Engineer’s Eye.