Exhibition
the (un)natural landscape: photography of ali richards & cat vinton
27 Jun 2007 – 21 Jul 2007
Event times
Mon-Fri, 10.30-6.30; Sat, 11-6pm
Cost of entry
Free
Address
- 23 Shepherd Market
- Mayfair
- London
- w1j 7pw
- United Kingdom
The (un)natural landscape presents two female photographers with contrasting aesthetics and complimentary approaches to the representation of human intrusions into the natural environment.
About
Ali Richards' distinctive Playground series has established her as a highly collectable fine art photographer. Her work has become a regular in the RCA's annual photography print auction, and also the AOP (Association of Photographers) awards. Richards' work has also featured in the FormatFestival of photography, Derby, and she has exhibited in the Whitechapel Gallery. This is Richards' first exhibition at ZiZi Gallery.Richards' documentation of burnt-out cars presents these unnatural objects as foreign bodies being absorbed back into the natural landscape. In what should be an aesthetically conspicuous manifestation, their previously acrid paintwork has burnt off, and been further bleached by the elements. As a result, the machines are somewhat camouflaged, and are presented losing their identities, as they are reclaimed by the earth.
In contrast, Vinton's photographs present Vinton's own interventions into the natural landscape: a staged and idealised representation of the indigenous peoples of Lapland. These serene portrayals offer the viewer a beautifully constructed theatric, and present a romanticised view of what occurs within this natural and sublime environment.
Cat Vinton graduated from Camberwell School of Art & Design, and went on to work as a freelancer for clients such as the United Nations and UNICEF in Lao. Vinton has since worked as a photographer in Los Angeles before returning to the UK, to finally base herself in London.
Her natural interest in different cultures has been fed by her experience and travel, and she has continued a prestigious career as an International commercial photographer, as well as honing her skills as a fine art photographer.
Vinton's commercial work has just been short-listed for the Association of Photographers' Digital Awards, and her photograph was chosen to advertise the exhibition. She has also just finished exhibiting the Lapland series in Paris at l'Envie d'Art. Later this month, Vinton will be spending a month in Mongolia, working with an indigenous nomadic family in the Gobi Desert. Work available from this exciting trip is planned for exhibition in early 2008.