LANDSCAPES – A PARTICULAR TYPE OF FICTION

Photographers Notes.
“I made these photographs using glass plates exposed in a Thornton Pickard ‘Imperial’ half-plate bellows camera with a 4^7/8 120mm lens. The images were made between 1982 & 1984. I found the camera in a second-hand shop; there were dark slides but no film of any sort. By chance, I discovered some unexposed boxes of Ilford Tri-colour plates in a cupboard in Hull School of Art & Design. After much experimentation, I found I could use each plate separately and was able to control exposures to create these images.

These very large images (magnificently printed by Rob Hodgson at Double Red) try to capture the volume and sense of space in the locations in which they were made. In some ways, though very different in content, they make reference to the beauty and mystery in Atget’s work (the pioneering French photographer 1857-1927). The acuity of the lens and the capture of the passage of time in a still frame offer a particular way of seeing. But of course what we see in these large photographs is not what is, or was there, but a fiction, an imagination of passing time and place. Beyond that – to me they are beautiful – I hope you agree.”

Further…
There are only six images in this gallery because I only had six glass plates scanned and digitised for printing. These six negatives were the best from what was an extended period of experimentation. Most negatives failed for one reason or another and I decided that from both an artistic and financial point of view six were enough for exhibition.

I’m also now including photographs of the six prints in the locations where they were exhibited and this may give you a better idea of their scale.

In addition, at the foot of this page, there’s a small animated GIF showing one of the display structures being erected.

I would really like to exhibit them again – the prints are rolled up safe and sound – but finding a location is difficult.

If anyone is interested in, for example, having a large print for indoor display that can be done. I’ve also always thought that they could make excellent large scale ‘wallpaper’ in a suitably large space – this can also be arranged.

If you find any of this interesting as new opportunities to use the images please get in touch.

All work is for sale. Editions of the work are available in bespoke sizes and prices on application. Contact me here for prices.

The exhibition was commissioned and facilitated by Nick Jones (then of ArtsNK). I owe him and his team a huge debt of thanks. I was finally able to exhibit these images on a scale I had always hoped possible.’

Image Galleries