Background

Working on the River Teign in May 2017 (Photo Phil Hammans)


In 1974, I was accepted at Trent Polytechnic, Nottingham, one of the few photography courses at that time. The course was inspired and influenced by various tutors, notably Thomas Joshua Cooper, Paul Hill, Ray Moore and John Blakemore.

I was given the opportunity to participate in a student exchange in 1976, between Trent and Maryland Institute of Art in Baltimore USA. Further opportunities arose for this exchange, the most significant of which was the offer to assist Ralph Gibson in New York City.

I worked for Gibson and several other photographers in New York 1977-79, including Mary Ellen Mark, Langdon Clay, Jan Hashey, Robert Mapplethorpe, Julian Lethbridge.

After returning home I was appointed the Director of the newly formed Gallery in Cardiff, ‘Oriel Ffotographeg’, now Ffotogallery. I valued the experience working with arts administration and curating, but I wanted to get back to my own work.

In 1980 I was appointed Photographic Fellow in Photography at Sheffield City Polytechnic. This post allowed me to continue my practice and offered me part time hours teaching on the BA Photography course. My resulting work was exhibited at the Mappin Art gallery in January 1981.

I moved to London and continued teaching part time on several different degree courses, London College of Printing, City of London Polytechnic, Polytechnic of central London, and West Surrey College of Art.

I continued my work and The Garden Series, was shown at The Photographers Gallery in February 1986, but I soon realised that this intensive teaching time in London was taking its toll and I decided to take time out.

After 10 years, my life changed radically and I decided to return to academic life. I became Senior Lecturer at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design 1994. I taught on the BA and MA Visual Communication (Photography) courses, and contributed to the research department of the faculty.

In 2003 I moved to Cornwall having been appointed by Falmouth University on BA and MA Photography. I spent 12 years teaching there, and was Joint Course Leader with Nancy Roth on MA Photography, and then Course leader on BA Photography. During this time I also became External Examiner to various BA and MA Photographic courses.

In 2015 I retired from full-time teaching, and since then I have had more time to continue my photographic practice and to care, manage and further develop my garden at Bucks Head House.