Mark Power

Mark Power's work consists of strong elements that draw the viewer into his images. The main focus changes from a set of buildings to a barren wasteland highlighting the change in landscape and how man has affected it. In his series 26 different endings, there is a variation of subject matter that are linked together through a similar theme. The images appear slightly dead pan that emphasizes the lack of human presence, although it is clear that people are in that environment as they have left traces behind in the form of cars, rubbish and graffitti.

148 South, 26 Different Endings, Mark Power

 In this image the eye follows the road from the bottom of the image up through to the top where the houses and sky appear. There is a lack in colour that draws attention to the mundane and emphasizes the emptiness of the houses. Although there aren't any people in the shot there is still a human presence as there is a car just visible near the top of the image and the foliage has been well kept showing that people have been here. Having the sky as a neutral colour keeps the focus on the houses and the feeling of calm as there isn't any movement in the image, it could have been taken during the middle of the day whilst people are working to draw attention to how empty places like these can be.

 6 North, 26 different endings, Mark Power

Unlike the previous image, not all of the buildings appear to be lived in as the house at the back seems to be boarded up. The viewer is led through the image by the road in the center of the image, that is emphasized by the red sign above the road. The red and orange signs are the brightest part of the image that draw attention to how dead pan the buildings are as they are all the same and are rather dull. This image focuses on the mundane of housing estates and how they all look the same as the next one. Keeping the theme of a neutral sky draws the focus to the main subject of the houses.

Finishing the BA, showing work in London and looking for work

The summer show in London was very succesul, as I manged to speak to new people to create new connections that can help me to improve my work. Coming home from London my new focus is on finding work and getting ready for events such as the White Horse Hill exhibition opening in September in which a handful of my images are being used in. I am also looking forward to working with the community project in Bodmin to do with St Lawrence's that will introduce me to a wide range of people to do with the hospital and it's history

My work on display

Showing my work in such a large space has lead me to think about how I would like to carry this project on, as I want to photograph more people to create a larger body of work that emphasizes what I am trying to say. Through exploring new ideas and getting a range of feedback I am confident that I am able to create the work that I need to create an even better exhibition that could be shown in Bodmin for the people of St Lawrence's so see.

Laura Knight Portaits - Plymouth City Museum and Gallery

In this exhibition that is currently showing at the Plymouth City Museum and Gallery there is a wide range of portraiture that depicts a large amount of people in different scenarios. The images have been painted with the smallest a lot of time and skill going into each piece. Due to the amount of detail within these images, a few look like photographs with the focus drawn to the many elements that make up each image. 

Ethel Bartlet, 1914, Laura Knight

By researching into different practitioners I was intrigued by Laura Knight's work as the focus is on the subjects in their own environment showing how they work and what their craft could be in such paintings of the dancers and women working in the factory. She has captured aspects of people that the viewer might not see if the subjects were painted in a different way for example having them in a studio environment without any objects that could hint at what they are interested in.

 Ruby Lotus Screwing a Breech-ring, 1943, Laura Knight

Laura Knight first started painting in Cornwall in 1907 when she moved there, where in 1908 she had an exhibition in the Newlyn Gallery. In 1913 Knight her first nude painting was shown which was a self portrait that at the time was scrutinized by the public but has since been seen as a key piece in the story of female self portraiture and symbolic of the wider female view. She later went on to paint WW1 and Circus folk in the 1920's, her most dominate work is that of WW2 focusing on the people and where they worked in such images as women working in factories and pilots in aircraft. One of her most prominent pieces from the war is the image The Nuremberg Trial.

Nuremberg Trial, 1946, Laura Knight

"In that ruined city death and destruction are ever present. They had to come into the picture, without them, it would not be the Nuremberg as it now is during the trial, when the death of millions and utter devastation are the sole topics of conversation wherever one goes - whatever one is doing" - Laura Knight

In Laura Knight's later life she painted dancers, dignitaries and well known people such as Jean Rhodes the 'Mighty Mannequin' that lead to further portrait commissions. Knight died on the 7th of July 1970 aged 92 3 days after a large exhibition of her work was to been shown in Nottingham Castle Art Gallery and Museum. 

Chosen Images from Seth's Christening

These images are a select few from the Christening that I took pictures for. I am happy with the outcome and like how natural the subjects look. Although I didn't use a flash I was still able to get a good exposure and use the lighting that was available. My favorite image out of this set if the one of Seth on his own at the top of the page, the focus is on him and he looks relaxed and happy. I know now for next time I am paid to shoot like this to bring a portable flash to get better lighting in areas and to think more about my compositions in advance so that I can create even better images.

Working with Fotonow

After looking into different places I could find possible work and speaking to lecturers for help, I decided to contact Fotonow. Seeing as I find it hard to contact new people and sometimes struggle with communication around new people I wanted to work on that which lead me to Fotonow. I was interested in their community projects which works with a variety of different people and is a non-profit organisation that focus on visual arts.

Once I had got in contact with them and organised a meeting, we discussed what I was able to do and current projects that they were working on. This lead to me being informed about the project that they are working on which is about the Pannier market and the people who work there. I was given the task of doing picture research for Fotonow which includes looking at photos of when the market was first built and it being built. Plans of the market, possible plans of the original market that was where Drake's Circus is now but was bombed in the Second World War which lead to the building of the Pannier market.

I am currently working in the records office doing picture research for the Pannier market project which I have found very interesting looking at the old documents and photographs of when it was first built and earlier photographs to make a comparison to see that the building itself hasn't changed, but the shops and people have. When I am in the records office again I will be looking at the plans of the market and possible images of the original market if there are any. I will also be reading the emergency minutes to find out more information on the original market and to see if there are any minutes that mention the current Pannier market.

Final Images for work based learning

These are the final chosen images that I used for my work based learning project. I think that these images work well as a set as they stay true to my idea of showing a different view of the garage that I was working with. They were happy with the outcome and chose 2 of my finals, which I then printed and framed.
I was looking into the way that man and machine work together in a documentary style, I also wanted to show a behind the scenes view of the garage that people wouldn't normally get a chance to see.