A wonderful exhibition featuring the work of British photographer, John Blakemore, has recently opened at the Klompching Gallery in Brooklyn and will run through December 22nd, 2012.
John is considered a national treasure of Britain with a career that spans 55 year years and a mastery of not only his photography and his craft in printing, but in his "knowing" of a subject. He is concerned with the "ritual of intimacy, the sustained exploration of small areas of the world that interests him--whether working outside in the landscape or working in his studio. His work is held in public collections around the world and he has exhibited in a numerous international museums and galleries.
John has been fascinated with the idea of exploring landscape as a manifestation of energy, and the metaphoric potential of the photograph. His exquisite silver gelatin prints are a testimony to the excellence of his hand as an artist. He shows us that a photograph is not taken, it's made.
Tulipa - After Jan Van Os (printed 2012)
Tulipa - Dissections No. 10 (1992)
The Garden - Fragments of a History (1991)
Ambergate Derybhsire from the 'Lila' series (1977)
3 comments:
Beautiful. Reminiscent of the work of Frederick Sommer.
This was my first encounter with John Blakemore's work, and I was amazed at his subject matter of tulips. I have been photographing tulips for years. There is something sensual about them, and they seem to have an otherworldly quality that I am yet to define. I can understand his wanting to photograph them over and over again.
John is indeed a national treasure. The highlight of my photographic career to date was being in an exhibition with him and Paul Hill at The Clocktower. I didn't sell a thing but John asked me to do a print swap which flabbergasted me. So now I own a Blakemore! Am I namedropping? Yes! Do I feel guilty? No! I am honoured to have him as a friend.
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