The Departmental Archives of Manche in Saint-Lô are presenting a new exhibition titled "Sû la mé" ("On the Sea"), featuring 120 photographs by the late Cherbourg photographer Régis Colin. The exhibition showcases works selected from hundreds of film strips that Colin brought back from his fishing expeditions, many of which have never been displayed publicly before.

Ten years after his passing in January 2015 at age 64, Colin's artistic legacy continues to live on through his compelling body of work. This latest exhibition follows previous tributes, including the "Parcours" exhibition displayed on outdoor panels in Omonville-la-Rogue (La Hague, Manche) in 2023 and later at the Château des Ravalet in Tourlaville in 2024.

The current maritime-themed exhibition, which opened on July 4, features photographs preserved in the departmental archives. While some of these images were first presented in 1995 during the "Mer des hommes" (Sea of Men) exhibition, many are being shown to the public for the first time. The collection offers viewers a chance to discover or rediscover Colin's distinctive perspective on the world of work, both on land and at sea.

Colin, the son of a worker who grew up in Équeurdreville, was known as an engaged and authentic artist who used his camera to honor those who worked in society's shadows. His career in journalism spanned roughly a decade at La Presse de la Manche before moving to Paris-Normandie, eventually returning to the Cotentin region that was dear to his heart.

The exhibition organizers highlight the breadth of Colin's remarkable career, noting that since 1977, he had been documenting the Romani people, which led him to travel to Hungary and Romania. In 1998, UNESCO selected some of his photographs to illustrate the publication "Tsigane, heureux si tu es libre!" (Roma, Happy If You Are Free!). Beyond his maritime work, Colin photographed Norman fishermen, workers from Cotentin businesses, coal miners, and nuclear industry workers.

Colin's dedication to photography extended beyond his personal work. In 1991, he founded the Normandy Photography Encounters with a group of friends to promote both press photography and amateur photography through exhibitions throughout the department. His works were published and exhibited not only in Normandy but also internationally, including in New Zealand.

The "Sû la mé" exhibition will remain open until December 24, 2025, at the Departmental Archives - House of Manche History, located at 103 rue Maréchal-Juin in Saint-Lô. Admission is free, and the exhibition is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, offering visitors an opportunity to experience Colin's singular vision of the maritime working world.