A pictorial tribute to a literary great

SOME say today’s young people show little interest in our nation’s literary history - but there’s one Plymouth woman who has disproved that.

- By DICK BENSON-GYLES

Jessica-Ella Gilbert, an 18-year-old student at Arts University Plymouth, has made a remarkable artistic contribution to this year’s 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, one of England's finest novelists.

On her own initiative, Jess has created a beautiful, 80-page photographic production about the celebrated novelist entitled Film and Fiction, a Photographic Project of Jane Austen’s Novels and the Film Adaptations.

She had help, particularly from her parents, but its inspiration and artistic merit were all her own and it is a remarkable achievement, particularly by a teenager, and could hold its own among professional works.

Tobie Loates, subject leader extended diploma photography at the Arts University, said: “Jess recently completed the extended diploma in photography. Her impressive final major project offers a compelling exploration of Austen’s novels and their cinematic adaptations.