When milliner Mary Jane Baxter was little, she wanted to be Maria from The Sound of Music. So her portrait for 'When I Am Big,' a new exhibition at Material gallery, shows her perched upon a ladder, surrounded by hats and shoes and dressed as a nun. A collaboration between photographer Emilie Fjola Sandy and designer Kamilla Weinhardt, 'When I Am Big' takes on the wildest dreams (President of Iceland, anyone?) of some of Britain's most notable creatives, translating them into portraits that are imbued with all the originality and spirit of childhood aspirations.

Other shots portray a dancer, an astronaut, 'Venger' from Dungeons and Dragons, a sweet shop owner and a brain surgeon. All are arranged with an air of optimism, creativity and fun, serving up the idea that "no matter what the profession, there are always hidden depths waiting to be expressed." Although none of the dreams captured in this exhibition came true, seeing them reenacted for a moment feels remarkably personal for a show that is, superficially at least, entirely about profession. "You see them and think "me too!" and then of course you wonder how those dreams led you to where you are today," summed up one guest at the exhibition's launch.

IDOL's favourite? It's a toss-up between Nick Roberts' transformation from artist to sailor, or musician Jagga's turn as a robed priest, both bringing a real swagger to their uniforms. We left feeling very much in touch with our inner child, and a little jealous of fashion writer Kristen Knox, who got to dress up as Victoria from Cats.

By Caitlin Leslie

'When I Am Big,' showing 12th August- 27th August 2010

: : 5 market street, ludlow, shropshire sy8 1bp : :

opening times : mon / wed / fri / sat 10AM - 5.30PM / sun 12- 4PM

:: kingly court, carnaby street, london w1b 5pw ::

opening times: mon- sat 11AM - 7PM / sun 12 - 6PM

For more information, see:

info@materialmaterial.com • www.materialmaterial.com • materialgallery.blogspot.com