Bio
I use a conceptual approach to address social issues – collaborating and engaging with community groups, schools and people who would not normally take an interest in the Arts. My work is often involved in activities that help facilitate change – or on occasion, is a catalyst for change. I initiate my own projects as well as being commissioned.
I photograph subjects I feel passionately about and I’m very involved with the people I photograph either as their friend, neighbour or as a fellow volunteer.
My work has a particular focus on portraying vulnerable people in a dignified manner. I endeavour to challenge preconceptions and to accurately represent people marginalised in our society. I hope to create opportunities for their story to be told and wherever possible include my subjects in activities such as artist talks, to ensure their voice is heard as well as their image seen.
I also look for opportunities to portray community activists and volunteers who make a profound contribution to the fabric of our society – but don’t seek any personal recognition for their achievements.
I use a medium format film camera and tripod for my personal projects. It is a time consuming way of working, but results in my subjects being completely relaxed by the time I’m ready to take the final image. They match my intense working process with concentrated stares, which means we both have control of the image being made.
I exhibit in traditional gallery spaces, but also utilise temporary spaces, the Internet and multi-media productions to extend my audience. In 2011 I had my first solo show, Guests & Volunteers, at the Tokarska Gallery in Walthamstow, E17.
I was recently invited to represent the UK in Active Witness, an exhibition to celebrate the European Year of Volunteering. The exhibition at the 12 Star Gallery in London brought together 27 works representing the 27 participating EU countries and was selected by Simon Baker, the Curator of Photography and International Art at Tate Modern. As part of this exhibition I participated in a panel discussing contemporary documentary practice, along with Simon Baker, Dana Popa and Paulo Nunes dos Santos.
I belong to Image17, a group of (primarily) social documentary photographers. We have been commissioned to photograph 48 community sports teams and groups in our local Borough by Waltham Forest Council. Taking Part is the most ambitious photography project being undertaken by any of the Olympic Boroughs.
My work has been published nationally in publications such as The Times and Big Issue, and internationally in publications such as the Washington Post.
Recent Commissions & Funding
Waltham Forest Council (2011 – 2012)
Taking Part: documenting 48 community sports teams and groups as part of the photography collective, Image 17.
Voluntary Action Waltham Forest (2011)
Documenting voluntary groups within the Borough
Apex Arts Grant Funding (2011 – 2012)
Exhibitions
2011
Taking Part (group show)
The first series of work from the Taking Part commission will be shown during this year’s E17 Art Trail.
2nd – 11th September 2011
Voluntary Action in Waltham Forest (2 person show)
Together with Katherine Green I will be exhibiting a selection of work as part of this year’s E17 Art Trail at Walthamstow Central Library and the Credit Union on Church Hill E17.
2nd – 11th September 2011
Active Witness (group show)
Work from Guests & Volunteers selected by Simon Baker, Curator of Photography and International Art at Tate Modern to take part in an exhibition at the European Commission’s 12 Star Gallery in London. This work represents the UK in a show with 27 photographers from the 27 EU countries.
July 19th – September 9th 2011
Guests & Volunteers: Portraits from the Crisis Night Shift (solo show)
Tokarska Gallery, London, E17
June 3rd – June 18th 2011
2010
London Independent Photography Annual Exhibition (group show)
The Strand Gallery
October 19th – October 30th 2010
Westminster Arts Open Exhibition (group show)
SW1 Gallery
2nd – 22nd October 2010
Portraits from the Stadium
Pop Up exhibition at Cut to Size as part of the E17 Art Trail 2010
3rd – 12th September 2010
Judging
2011
Capture Waltham Forest
The Heritage Lottery funded project Mapping the Change is East London’s significant contribution to the Cultural Olympiad. Run by The Shoot Experience and Vestry House Museum. Fellow judges are Katherine Green and Sal Idriss.
The Equality Trust Photographic Competition 2011
Fellow judge Jeff Hubbard.
Publications
Guests & Volunteers: Portraits from the Crisis Night Shift
July 2011
Flip Magazine #17
November 2010
Mibila Mothers
The Gadget Scientist Guide to Using Your Digital Camera
January 2010
Education
Winchester School of Art (1989-1992)
BA (Hons) Fine Art
