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PROFILE
PROFILE
Born in Northampton in 1961 Adrian began an early interest in photography as a schoolboy.
Born in Northampton in 1961 Adrian began an early interest in photography as a schoolboy.
Art and science were his main interests and with the help of the science teacher, (interestingly, not the art teacher!) he and a school friend set up a primitive darkroom in a cupboard.
Art and science were his main interests and with the help of the science teacher, (interestingly, not the art teacher!) he and a school friend set up a primitive darkroom in a cupboard.
Here he was introduced to the magic of chemistry and light.
Here he was introduced to the magic of chemistry and light.
Adrian studied for an Honours Degree in Fine Art at The University of Wales in Newport, where he specialised mainly in painting and printmaking, in particular, lithography with photography still much a peripheral activity for him. At that time, Newport ran the highly respected and renowned School of Documentary Photography and as some of the photography lecturers also had an input onto the fine art programme, the influence of photography was always there, lurking in the background.
Adrian studied for an Honours Degree in Fine Art at The University of Wales in Newport, where he specialised mainly in painting and printmaking, in particular, lithography with photography still much a peripheral activity for him. At that time, Newport ran the highly respected and renowned School of Documentary Photography and as some of the photography lecturers also had an input onto the fine art programme, the influence of photography was always there, lurking in the background.
After graduating, he became increasingly interested in working with photography and eventually moved into using this medium almost exclusively .
After graduating, he became increasingly interested in working with photography and eventually moved into using this medium almost exclusively .
Two years working as a documentary photographer on the Northamptonshire Heritage Interpretation Project in the mid 1980s was was followed by a number of artist’s residencies and part time lecturing posts before moving into full time teaching at Milton Keynes College.
Two years working as a documentary photographer on the Northamptonshire Heritage Interpretation Project in the mid 1980s was was followed by a number of artist’s residencies and part time lecturing posts before moving into full time teaching at Milton Keynes College.
Adrian has exhibited his work regularly since 1984 in a variety of collaborative, group and one-man shows both nationally and regionally. He taught photography at Milton Keynes College for over 20 years and was Head of Art, Design & Media there for ten years until 2011. He was then Director of leading community arts charity Inter-Action MK until 2015 when he and his partner Sarah Bament established Phoenix Rising:MK an arts based day service organisation offering creative opportunities for people with learning disabilities and support needs.
Adrian has exhibited his work regularly since 1984 in a variety of collaborative, group and one-man shows both nationally and regionally. He taught photography at Milton Keynes College for over 20 years and was Head of Art, Design & Media there for ten years until 2011. He was then Director of leading community arts charity Inter-Action MK until 2015 when he and his partner Sarah Bament established Phoenix Rising:MK an arts based day service organisation offering creative opportunities for people with learning disabilities and support needs.
Adrian also leads a weekly photography session with a small group of clients from Phoenix Rising:MK and says :
Adrian also leads a weekly photography session with a small group of clients from Phoenix Rising:MK and says :
" I learn something about photography every week from people who are classed in our society as having special needs and "learning disabled", who know next to nothing about it and who have absolutely no preconceptions about the medium. They approach the medium carrying no 'baggage' and so the pictures are always totally honest and come straight from the heart! What a wonderful privilege! "
" I learn something about photography every week from people who are classed in our society as having special needs and "learning disabled", who know next to nothing about it and who have absolutely no preconceptions about the medium. They approach the medium carrying no 'baggage' and so the pictures are always totally honest and come straight from the heart! What a wonderful privilege! "
Currently Adrian is working on several photographic projects concurrently which he hopes will at some point coalesce into a meaningful whole?
Currently Adrian is working on several photographic projects concurrently which he hopes will at some point coalesce into a meaningful whole?
'Door, Mirror, Calendar & Window.'
Nerja, Spain 1983.
APPROACH
APPROACH
"As an artist, my approach to picture making with photography has always been from a fine art creative viewpoint. I had no real formal training in photography but came to it through the traditional art school fine art painting route followed by a job as a documentary photographer for Northamptonshire Libraries 'Heritage Interpretation Project' in the mid 1980s.
"As an artist, my approach to picture making with photography has always been from a fine art creative viewpoint. I had no real formal training in photography but came to it through the traditional art school fine art painting route followed by a job as a documentary photographer for Northamptonshire Libraries 'Heritage Interpretation Project' in the mid 1980s.
Fine-art photography can be described in many ways. For what definitions are worth, The Royal Photographic Society defines it thus:
Fine-art photography can be described in many ways. For what definitions are worth, The Royal Photographic Society defines it thus:
'Photography which communicates and fulfils the creative vision of the photographer in expressing and sharing perceptions or emotions.'
'Photography which communicates and fulfils the creative vision of the photographer in expressing and sharing perceptions or emotions.'
It has also been described as using the medium to express something that lives in the artist's mind; perhaps employing metaphor, allegory or symbolism to convey meaning, just as painters, print-makers or sculptors do.
It has also been described as using the medium to express something that lives in the artist's mind; perhaps employing metaphor, allegory or symbolism to convey meaning, just as painters, print-makers or sculptors do.
In my work what is presented to the viewer in an image is not necessarily what the picture is actually about. (The allegory of "Plato's cave" ?)
In my work what is presented to the viewer in an image is not necessarily what the picture is actually about. (The allegory of "Plato's cave" ?)
Most of the work I've produced is autobiographically referenced and often draws upon recurring themes such as childhood recollection (or at least a personal myth of it) memory, mystery and metaphor. Much of the work is a kind of 'indirect or allegorical visual document' or visual diary of my experiences, feelings and thoughts. My pictures are also a celebration of just simply and quietly existing in a certain place and time."
Most of the work I've produced is autobiographically referenced and often draws upon recurring themes such as childhood recollection (or at least a personal myth of it) memory, mystery and metaphor. Much of the work is a kind of 'indirect or allegorical visual document' or visual diary of my experiences, feelings and thoughts. My pictures are also a celebration of just simply and quietly existing in a certain place and time."
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