Holding the Landscape Collaboration + Latest News
Greetings from the Yorkshire Wolds!
Long-term readers of this blog may recall the Sha-ko-seki collaboration between myself and Japanese artist Kazutaka Shioi, back in 2022. HOLDING THE LANDSCAPE builds on that work and is a new collaboration between myself and Kazutaka, exploring how landscape, light, and memory can move between photography and sculpture, and between the United Kingdom and Japan.
Having extensively photographed the landscapes across both countries, recording the particular qualities of light, atmosphere, and unique energy that I encounter - Shioi responds to these photographs by translating their visual and sensory qualities into three-dimensional forms using materials such as washi paper, stone, and iron.
Through this process, landscapes experienced and photographed in one place are reinterpreted through another artist’s materials, techniques, and cultural perspective. Rather than presenting the UK and Japan as contrasting cultures, the project considers how experiences of landscape can be shared, transformed, and reimagined across geographical and cultural boundaries.
Photography becomes a point of exchange: a landscape moves from place to image, from image to object, and ultimately from one person and culture to another.
The title HOLDING THE LANDSCAPE reflects this process of capturing, transforming, and carrying the memory of a place beyond its original location. We will be looking to exhibit these works in 2027 and beyond.
In other news - as I touched on in previous blog posts, this year has been derailed somewhat by a long illness. Thankfully I am now recovering. Five months of not being able to do very much at all left me with plenty of time for reflection. I have decided to step down from all ambassadorial duties to fully focus on new creative goals moving forward. I would like to thank Benro UK and Enigma Bicycles for all their support over the years. Especially Benro UK; when they contacted me back in 2018 I couldn't have dreamed of the adventures that would eventually unfold - there are many precious memories. I will continue to fly the flag for both of these brands.
Lastly, to ease myself back in to the workshop side of things I'll be kicking off 2027 with my Winter Solitude workshop. These days are more suited to the contemplative photographer who is more concerned with evoking the deep interconnectedness of a winter woodland in order to create a series of coherent photographs rather than singular 'killer shots'. I elaborate more comprehensively on the workshop page here. For 2027 I am limiting all workshops to four participants, so do act fast if interested! Any questions feel free to message via the contact page here.
Warmest regards
Karl.
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