Cultivating an aspirational consumerism and tapping into the wealth of
the affluent urban population is a key feature of China's economic
development.
Shot in Shenyang & Chengdu this series of photographs take a look at
the wholesale remodelling of two Chinese city centres into hubs of
commerce. Although shot during the same period of time, there are
two distinct aspects of the project:
The vividly colourful photos peek through the hoardings of the
massive building sites, mixing the bright consumerist aesthetic of the
foreground hoardings with the messy reality of demolition and
construction taking place behind. Surface, distance, colour and
architectural detail are all abstracted into vivid images.
The documentary-type photos take a different view. They capture the
unsettling, often chaotic, limbo space that people have to negotiate
during this massive upheaval of their homes, workplace and way of
life.
Working on both an abstract and documentary level, this is a thorough
body of work that captures a significant moment of change for these
cities and their inhabitants.
Both thrilling and frightening, massive growth of cities is one of the global features of our time. Working as an architectural photographer since 2000, I've become engrossed by urbanism - its structures, narratives and transformations.
For my commercial work I have photographed many high profile construction projects around the world. These include:
1 World Trade Centre, NY / The National Museum of Qatar, Doha / BBC Broadcasting House, London / BBC Media City, Manchester / Hoglands, Grade 1 listed restoration of Henry Moores former home & etching studio.
Fine Art, National College of Art & Design, Dublin, 1997.
Masters, Fine Art & Visual Culture, Bath Spa University College, 1999.
Born Belfast 1973.
Living in Bath, UK.
Awards Awards:
Architectural Photographer of The Year, ND Awards, 2016.
Honourable Mention, Cityscapes, ND Awards, 2016.
Finalist, Moscow International Fotography Awards 2016, Architecture Category.
Finalist, Moscow International Fotography Awards 2016, Abstract Category.
Finalist, London Photography Festival 2016, Abstract Photography Award.
