Joel Redman - Newsletter.
Photographic stories from my creative practice, and relevant news from my role as Director of Photography at the indigenous led charity If Not Us Then Who?.
Branscombe, Devon
Hey, it’s been a while since I sent one of these out, plus I’m using this new platform, which I hope you’ll enjoy. I don’t want to inundate you with to many of these, who does ? Perhaps every quarter or so to begin with.
Summers drawing to an end, and I’ve spent some of this time, wild swimming, camping, and being close to nature alongside family and friends. Working in the gaps, and bringing my Mamiya7 along on many of these adventures.
One of my favourite salty swimming spots is Branscombe, Devon. We tend to head here through the year on days when we’re looking to recharge, and immerse ourselves in the invigorating cold water. Loading up the now car - the van recently having died, we pack enough food to last a lengthy day, till sunset perhaps, or maybe even moonrise, which can be really beautiful, and the kids, well all of us embrace these experiences. Cooking on our fire wok ( transportable stainless steal wok, for a roaring off the ground wood fire with hot plate sitting just above ), we keep our eyes peeled in order to forage from the coastal cliffs, which depending on the season hold a varying accompaniment of surprises to sprinkle in our veggie wraps, Black Mustard being one of my favourites. The ever changing mesmeric view ( image shared above ) is what you look out too, the clouds dancing near to the horizon, and the gentle lapping of the waves on the pebble shore, playing their soothing background tune.
This image was created on out of date Kodak Portra film, which I was experimenting with, or maybe it was a cost thing, film prices are steep these days of course. The out of date film lent the final artwork many unique qualities, detailed aberrations, and enhanced the atmosphere and sky gradients in this circumstance, particularly when evaluated up close. As a framed piece this artwork was shown at the Royal Academy in 2021.
I’ve created a body of work with my children in these landscapes which I hope to share with you in my next post.
The Song Of The Owl
“The Song of the Owl” (c.1600) by Domhnall mac Fhionnlaigh nan Dàn is a haunting expression of the idea of unity existing between land, people, all living creatures, nature and culture. The Gaelic word for this is “dùthchas”.
The story - Kilfinan Community Forest is on the Cowal peninsula, in Argyll and Bute where two models of land reform are being used to re-people the land: community land ownership; and woodland crofts, or tenancies, for people who commit to replant and manage the forest. Nestled alongside the coastal village of Tighnabruaich, Kilfinan Community Forest is working to transition a monoculture plantation back to biodiverse native woodland while also bringing people more actively into this landscape.
The project was supported by If Not Us Then Who?, view the emotive short film Dùthchas from Scottish filmmaker Jaye Renold that accompanies the work.
Scroll more images and read further details via my site.
A Desert’s Indifference
“In A Desert’s Indifference, Branch Arts brings together a collection of photographs from Redman’s series Stray from the Path. This curated selection tells Redman’s narrative - recording the natural beauty and immense scale of California’s Death Valley whilst tracking the history of human presence within the land and how it has changed over time.” - Amanda Partridge, Sotheby’s.
A curated selection of these works were shown at Branch Arts Gallery this year in Oxfordshire.
Enquiries can be made through Susie Lawson at Branch Arts or via my online Shop. 10% of sales going to the indigenous led charity If Not Us Then Who?
Artist Talks
The above exhibition and additional exposure led to an invitation to talk at Soho Farmhouse and FarmEd, alongside Nigel Winser and Susie Lawson. Talks that explored my work as a photographer and my role at If Not Us Then Who?., supporting this indigenous led charity from it’s early beginnings and more recently as their Director of Photography. A position that has me engaging with, mentoring, and supporting creatively, indigenous photographers. Many who are producing some very unique, powerful, and considered stories from their communities. Highlighting the role indigenous peoples play in stewarding their ancestral lands, and protecting the fragile rainforest ecosystems and unique biodiversity that are under threat in these delicate biomes.
The talks explored these complimentary strands of my creative practice, how they intertwine, and how they have shaped my photographic practice more and more, as well as me personally.
Thanks for your time, I hope you enjoyed the read.
Speak soon Joel.
Ps. It would be lovely to hear any comments you may have, or alternatively reach out via my contact details, to say hi, or if you would like discuss collaborating, a commission, or any artwork enquiries.