Photograph iT4 - Limited Edition 1 of 10 Print

I began making photographs in 1983. I’d been working as an Art Director in Advertising after leaving Secondary School in 1963. I didn't attend my 11 plus exam, because my mother thought I was too sensitive, I spent the whole period during the Technical Examination in the toilet. I was a difficult child. As a consequence I stayed in Secondary Education until 1963 when armed with only my school portfolio I acquired two jobs in advertising. In 1983 after ten years in advertising I began to look at the work of Diane Arbus, Gene Smith, and Kenneth Graves. I was working then as one half of a freelance concept team with a writer. At the critical age of 30 I decided I needed to pursue a medium that was more suited to my creative expression. “It’s preferable to do the work, than to waste precious time selling it”. My thoughts, but as a consequence it has made me rather complacent, and somewhat illusive. My first project ‘Spectators’ was shortlisted at the Photographers Gallery London exhibited at Oldham Art Gallery, Cornerhouse Manchester, and the Turnpike Gallery. Its now in print and available at Cafe Royal Books. My second body of work ‘From Kev to Bev’ featured on Granada‘s arts programme ‘Celebration’ and in 1986 was turned into a calendar by the design group The Chase. It received two D&AD awards for Design & Photography. Subsequently I’ve had shows at The Lowry Salford, Static Liverpool for ‘No man’s land’ working with Poets Jean Sprackland (Winner of the Costa book award in 2008) and Steven Waling for ‘Birds don’t sing in the dark’ and ‘Sunshine in a sunless land’. ‘God is what I make make of him’ a spectacular show at Rochdale Art Gallery exhibited on a 16ft x 12 ft screen with backgound music by AphexTwin. My latest body of work ‘Under the shadow of Mad Richard’s folly’ is, as Jean Sprackland commented; Not just a wood but the wood-you know, the mythic one, the one you can get lost in, the one where the normal rules do not hold. In 2007 I was to curate an exhibition ‘Between today and yesterday’at the Turnpike including: Martin Parr, Hannah Starkey, Idris Khan, Peter Kennard, Richard Billingham, Tony Ray-Jones, Paul Hill, Ray Moore, Brian Griffin, and a young Joss Mckinley. On my website you will find a diverse range of subject matter. It’s the way I like to work, strong conceptual ideas, with a persuasive commitment to achieving a conclusive resolution.