36 EXP

Using a 36 exposure film I have photographed the found objects using various lamps to backlight and project the shadows onto a screen I made. Angling the lamps in different positions as well as different size and strength bulbs, I was able to create depth and atmosphere to the photographs. I manipulated the appearance of some of the ornaments as well as creating a dense shadow of others giving an ethereal quality to my work. The contrast between the shadows I feel represents memories; some are easily recognisable where others are harder to distinguish. My artwork is untitled as I want the viewer to decide what the piece is about and what it means to them.

I entered this series of photographs for a comissioned exhibition, 36 EXP, at the EASA gallery in Manchester. Myself and 35 other artists were selected from worldwide submissions for the exhibition which was displayed 30th September - 8th October 2010.

++ PRESS RELEASE +++

'36EXP.' EXHIBITION

30.09.10 - 08.10.10

in association with ILFORD PHOTO

and BLURB //

Comissioned and Curated by Jack Howard

Assistant Curator: Sarah Hill

‘36EXP.’ is a photographic exhibition involving 36 artists and 36 contact sheets. The concept of the exhibition is based upon a standard 36 exposure photographic film. Over the past six months, ‘36EXP.’ has been accepting submissions from artists, photographers and students from all over the world, some as far as Canada, India, Israel, China and Australia. The outline of the brief was simply to return to photographic film, whether 35mm, 120mm or slides, and to produce a contact sheet

from the roll of film used. The exhibition features a selection of photographs from each artist, alongside its accompanying contact sheet.

In this diverse exhibition, digital photography is abandoned in an attempt to rejuvenate traditional film methods. Each artist has taken a critical and considered approach to the exhibition of their contact sheet; some have consciously planned each frame, creating ‘aesthetic contact sheets’, whilst others have retained a more organic approach, simply exhibiting the result of using film.

To celebrate the exhibition, a book version will be published and launched at the Private View on Thursday 30th September 2010 at the EASA Gallery, Manchester.

The 160 page, hardback book features all 36 contact sheets and a selection of photographs from the exhibition.

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Exhibition photos taken by the curator-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackhoward/

Exhibition night photos-

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=236637&id=502329562

Review-
http://causeandeffectart.blogspot.com/2010/10/36-exp-review.html

Untitled, Series of Five, Charcoal on paper

I began with myself as a starting point, looking at what I remembered from my childhood; places, objects, and people. I photographed these states using a black and white 36exposure film, creating a set of eerie moments in time. I used these photographs as starting points for mixed media/drawing/painting pieces. One series was five A1 charcoal drawings.

I am currently based in my hometown working across the spectrum of Fine Art, incorporating different types of memory in each piece, as they can be random, selective, and many are fragile. Using found objects such as brass ornaments, photographs and postcards I have been experimenting with different effects of light and shadows to evoke a range of emotions associated with the personal memories of the viewer. I like the idea of using found objects because it gives me the sense that I am making something from nothing, using possesions that were once treasured and giving it a new purpose.

I’m interested in memories themselves, what they are and how they work. It’s interesting which memory comes to mind when asked certain questions or see certain images, how we forget special moments in our lives, as well as suppressing the unhappy ones. Memories define our very existence; you remember your loved ones when they are gone, so they still live within you. You are remembered when you die but generations down the line, you become a forgotten memory, person and soul. I would like my work to be a catalyst for retrieving those lost or hidden memories.