Statement

Within my previous research I have been interested in the language of appearances as explored through photographing a series of institutions. My decision to work with text and video as well as photographs suggests a limit to how much a photograph showing recognisable people doing recognisable things actually says anything. There is however still a lot of power in the indexical which I want to think about; the power of the photograph to connect us to social reality.

Recent work has centred on exploring the tensions between work and appearances in representation, with the emphasis being on a contemporary interpretation of the portrait as a document of social relations as well as individuality. This also includes my relationship with my subjects. I have adopted a more formal structuring of the photographic image rather than a snapshot aesthetic. This is central to working with subjects who are aware of being photographed and have come to some sort of decision to be represented. The use of tape recording, interviews and ongoing dialogue is important in this respect.