Working in series analogous to poetry Nicholas Hughes (b.1963) alludes to universal Romantic themes,allied to an environmental sensibility. Each series of photographs seeks to illustrate the frail residue of the contemporary wilderness through reduced visions of the sublime within localised nature.
In Darkness Visible (Verse I) # 11 (2007) Chromogenic Print
Increased awareness of the fragility and preciousness of nature drew his attention to the
landscape; his camera based working practice evolving from a desire to reduce environmental
impact. Previous work constructing the appearance of Primordial woodland in central London
(accessed via a short bus ride) has led to self-imposed working restrictions whereby he limits
work production to imagery that he can make within walking distance of his home. Using large
format film he reconfigures the landscape through in camera construction. Examination is given to the space between the world that people inhabit and that which nature still claims as its own. In this intermediary space he seeks to explore the essence of the human spirit and its relationship with nature.
Included within this exhibition for a first public showing are examples of a camera-less project
worked on since 2009 in which he explores new possibilities for the material of film born of the
onset of digital production techniques. This includes collaboration with 15 individuals using film
beyond traditional photography and the creation of contemporary desktop botanical studies.
Hughes has gained increasing international recognition through selection for solo shows at the
Photographers’ Gallery in London, the Nailya Alexander Gallery, New York, at ‘Earth’ The
Houston Biennial Fotofest as well as in ‘Landscape,’ the 5th International Photo Festival in Seoul.
Work was included in the Victoria and Albert Museum as a part of ‘The Histories of Photography’
exhibition in London from 2009-10 as well as the contemporary selection for the tour of India
‘Something that I’ll Never Really See’ from 2010-11. Work is held in a variety of permanent
public collections worldwide including the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), Museum of
Fine Arts (Houston), Gana Art Gallery (Seoul) and locally at the Falmouth Art Gallery,
Cornwall.
Aspects (Verse I) # 1 (2010) Chromogenic Print
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