Encountering WOUND: A Photographic Exhibition
Words by Paul Martin
Photography by Keren Oertly

‘WOUND: A Photographic Exhibition’, based at House Gallery and supported by The Wells Trust, Less Common More Sense, and Desperados, was an inter-university collaboration, featuring new and recent work by BA (Hons) Fine Art students from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, and BA (Hons) Photographic Art students from the University of Wales, Newport.

This exhibition, inspired by Roland Barthes seminal essay, Camera Lucida, had the aim of exploring the notion of the ‘wound’ in photography and image making. The ‘wound’ is seen as a posture of energised consciousness: it generates an adventure.

“It is this adventure,” Barthes states, “that allows me to make the photograph exist.” The ‘wound’, then, animates the viewer and endows the image with a higher value, a value of intensity, signifying what is essential about photography and image making in general. In short, ‘wounding’ proposes an active, transformative process in both culture and aesthetics.’ Art and literature have always, and inevitably, depicted violence and wounding as part of the human condition. We can all identify and in turn relate to this theme, even if some of us prefer not to.

Collectively, the work presented in WOUND covered diverse themes such as the aesthetics of politics [Matt Simmons, Keren Oertly], archives as instutional tools of power [Tom Price], the culture of identity [Lina Rukeviciute, Kate Mercer], forms of the non-visible and the aesthetics of absence [Keren Oertly], projected experiences [Kate Mercer], psychological manipulations [Lina Rukeviciute], simulacra and ideas of the multiple [Nadia Witte], and symbolic migrations [Laura Degenhardt].

The stand out piece for me was Memo (2010) by Matt Simmons. Simmons uses an iconic photograph from Abu Ghraib, the notorious prison in Guantanamo Bay. The original image is internationally known as a symbol of torture and suffering, of brutal humiliation. Simmons re-enacts the original and creates a piece of art. One factor that makes the original so iconic is the Christ like pose the detainee adopted, these religious connotations are strengthened through the use of framing and lighting which in turn makes the image take on a painterly quality. From what I have seen of Simmons’ work, he often uses dramatic lighting accompanied by atmospheric or figural blurring; this piece differs slightly in both its colouring and presentation, and ensures visual variety within his body of work. Weighty with cultural allusions, Simmons’ work has a depth of investigation and feeling that ensures a fulfilling encounter.

Another interesting and visually exciting piece was Chimera (2009) by Kate Mercer. This work consists of a series of photographs taken from family albums and reconnected through her use of crude sewing; she deconstructs and reconstructs images, making an observation on the idealism of the family album and producing images which appear to be a more viable representation of family life.

To find out more about the exhibition please visit the group’s Tumblr, and to hear the group talking about WOUND, listen to their podcast: WOUND with The Other Woman.

Photograph by PiratePhil

View PiratePhils Flickr Stream

Comic illustrator, photographer and artist. For my day job I’m working as a web/graphics designer.
Purely a film boy now, shooting in medium format with my Holga CFN & GCFN and 35mm with my Rollei XF 35.

Other places you can find me:
www.webleedcolour.tumblr.com

Photograph by Harry Crowder

•  View Harry’s Flickr stream

Photograph by Harry Crowder.

 The names Harry, Im 17 years old from just west of london. I went to college but dropped out a couple of months back to pursue photography much more seriousley and working my ass off to get better and better, building up my portfolio and progressing to go into work etc. I balance between part time work and as many shoots I can get done. I have a real passion for fashion photography … I picked up my first SLR just over 4 months back, and hear I am now.

•  View Harry’s Flickr stream.

Beautiful, haunting images by the photographer Chadwick Tyler. I’ve run into images by this photographer before, and I always love the analogue, old fashion feel they have. Enjoy.

Dudley Perkins taken a while ago at the Stones Throw 10th anniversairy.

Beautiful haunting images by photographer Cade Martin. I love the fantasy, fairy-tale content. Enjoy.

I love these images, they are so dreamlike, and yet the photos are sharp. I also really like the cream colored background, it gives the images a tactile old-paper quality. Enjoy