Photo gallery - Ice arena

Martyn Hayes
Apr 20
2 min read

Collage of backstage ice arena scenes with equipment, blue dividers, and a wooden table. Text: The Ice Arena, martyn-hayes.co.uk.

Looking back at an artistic photography project I did at university in 2006

Imagine a sports arena. You're probably picturing excited crowds, flags waving, and faces painted with national colors during the summer. But if you take a step back, you'll see that stadiums are usually pretty quiet most of the week. Except for a few fun hours on a Saturday, they're mostly empty. This was the theme I decided to dive into for my third-year project in my photography degree back in the early 2000s.

I went with an indoor arena because I wanted the observer to feel like they were stuck inside. Also, without the sky, you can't really tell what time it is, which adds a sense of ambiguity and takes away that sense of freedom. An ice rink was the perfect pick because it gives off those chilly vibes, which can make you think of loneliness and isolation. Plus, the colour blue popping up everywhere in the images was totally intentional.

My intention was to play with the opposite of noise. The goal was to make things feel a bit unsettling with the quiet and stillness, while also sparking curiosity. That's why I chose to include places like doors, stairs, and boards where things could suddenly appear. The plan was to lead them through the space using objects on the ground as guides, moving them along to the next part of the stadium.

I snapped these pics on medium format film over a few shoots. Hopefully I did a good job! I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below.

Scroll down to view the photo gallery the 'Ice Arena'.

Blue curtain partially open reveals empty arena seating. Concrete floor, visible cables, and a "nottingham" sign in the background. Quiet mood.

A stairway descends in a tiled hallway with a trophy case. Three yellow caution signs stand below, near a blue trash bin.

Hockey rink entrance with red goal, blue barrels, and maintenance tools. Ice visible through netting. Bright lights, empty seats in the background.

Spacious indoor hallway with tiled floors, glass walls, and a view of an ice rink. Green signs list places like "Skate Hire" and "Cafe."

Blue-paneled stadium entrance with open double doors, revealing empty seats. A wooden table and steel barriers are in the foreground.

Exhibiting at the Truman Brewery

Open book showing two photos. Left: empty lobby with caution signs, trophies above. Right: empty ice rink with hockey goal and Zamboni. Neutral tone. — Marketing materials for the Eye Candy exhibition as part of the as part of the Free Range Graduate Art & Design Summer Shows

Close-up of a colorful, glossy swirl resembling candy. Visible text reads "eye candy." Bright colors create a vibrant, enticing feel. — Front cover of the Eye Candy booklet

This series was proudly showcased at London's Truman Brewery on Brick Lane during the Free Range Graduate Art & Design Summer Shows.

A person in a blue hoodie and jeans kneels, holding a framed abstract image. Plain background, neutral expression, carpeted floor. — Proudly holding a photo ready for exhibition, mounted on aluminium for a cool metallic finish. Look - I even had hair!

Since this was my last university project, my friends and I pooled our money to set up the Eye Candy exhibition. We wanted to showcase our photos and offer some snacks along with spreading the word through marketing. I was in my early 20s back then, and I was really proud of what my friends and I accomplished.

By the way, check out my university buddy Craig Hull's photography website. He's really great at what he does!

The project helped me earn a 2.1 degree at the University of Portsmouth.

Thank you to Guildford Spectrum and Nottingham Arena

I snapped these pics at the Guildford Spectrum and Nottingham Arena, where the Guildford Flames and Nottingham Panthers play ice hockey. I really appreciated the kindness of both venues.