A retired NHS consultant has swapped stethoscopes for shutters in a striking new photography exhibition at the University of Brighton, exploring how the legacy of the British Empire continues to shape our modern world.
Seventy-year-old Simon Roth spent nearly four decades caring for children as a paediatrician at Barnet General, the Royal Free, and Edgware General Hospitals. Now, in a remarkable second act, he has completed a Master’s in Photography at the University of Brighton – and is using his final project to interrogate Britain’s imperial past and its lasting sociopolitical imprints.
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Simon’s work is part of the University’s MA Show, the culmination of this year’s Summer Shows series, featuring powerful and varied projects by postgraduate students from the School of Art and Media. The exhibition is open to the public and runs until Saturday, July 12 at the University’s City campus.
Simon said: “I’ve always loved photography and been passionate about politics. But until now, those two parts of me had never really come together.”
His final project took him to several significant historical sites across Brighton – including privileged access to the archives at the Royal Pavilion – in a visual investigation of how empire continues to echo through class structures, architecture, and cultural symbolism.
“This project came out of a deep interest I’ve always had in politics, inequality and how global systems of power are maintained,” he said. “I wanted to explore how empire still lives on – not just in history books, but in bricks and mortar, and in the stories we’re told. Through my photography, I’ve tried to show the grandeur of imperialism without glorifying it. I hope people will walk away thinking about the weight of history, not just its aesthetics.”
His striking photographs balance beauty with critical inquiry, offering viewers a textured perspective on how Britain’s colonial past continues to inform modern identities and social structures.
Fergus Heron, MA Photography course leader, said: “Simon brings a wealth of experience into his artistic practice. His project thoughtfully interrogates the legacy of empire through a lens that is both critical and poetic, with careful attention to surface detail that challenges viewers’ assumptions. As a former consultant paediatrician turning to photography in his seventies, he embodies the spirit of lifelong learning and creative reinvention. His presence on the course has enriched our community.”
Far from slowing down, Simon hopes his story inspires others to embrace new learning and creativity later in life.
“I wake up every morning with a sense of purpose now,” he said. “It’s not just the structure of the course – it’s the stimulation, the challenge, the thinking, the people. I feel more engaged with the world than I have in years. There’s always more to learn, more to create, more to be excited about. That, to me, is the real gift of lifelong learning.”
The University of Brighton MA Show features work from students in Fine Art, Graphic Design, Photography, and Sequential Design/Illustration, including immersive installations, conceptual pieces, and powerful visual storytelling.
Admission is free and all are welcome.
Website | MA Show, Grand Parade, City campus | Weekend opening: 12 to 5pm; Weekday opening: 10am to 5pm; Thursday: 10am to 6pm
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