Harness Your Hopes
Be Proactively Hopeful.
A bird takes flight over the ocean - Tidal Memories
“Nun is to church as the parrot is to perch.
And my heart's wide open truly” - Pavement
Hi
Great to be here again, sharing stories and projects with you.
Recently I drove to Dartmoor, that wild landscape that brims with open moorlands and deep river valleys. My youngest son Jake and I, plus two of his pals, heading to their Home Ed group - Ancestral Skills. The morning - mild, grey, and dank. A cattle grid bumped and startled us on arrival. No sooner had we entered the moors and we were met by an enchanting, mist laden scene, as the winter sun achingly pushed through, casting a spell over the landscape. A rainbow of ethereal light enveloped us. Pausing, we stared, transfixed and mesmerised as if jolted into a dream. A moment so unexpected, so very beautiful. Our morning had shifted trajectory.
You never know what awaits you. Just as blue sky resides above grey clouds, hope’s always within reach.
It’s been quite a year personally, and sometimes the world can feel bereft of hope - these are turbulent times. Though now more than ever you need to Harness Your Hopes.
Pavement one of my favourite bands sang somewhat nonsensically and poetically to this theme, in one of their more uplifting and hopeful songs. It sure feels like a great anthem for now - for me anyhow.
Taking this trail of thought, let’s meander through some highlights from my creative practice over the last few months + other ramblings. Enjoy. x
Before Time Leaves Its Fleeting Trace
Mum and Gem - Before Time Leaves Its Fleeting Trace.
Mum passed away at the start of the year. She had cancer - Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
I miss and think about her almost every day. The last year I spent with her was everything. It was emotional, though at the same time very beautiful - we talked a lot, and were able to share everything with each other.
We agonised, shared stories, and many times we laughed as we navigated those months.
Creating photographs together was at times difficult, and in other moments it’s what kept us going. Why we did this we weren’t sure, but we did. Creating moments on film - recording and trying to understand what was happening in our lives.
In this image mum decided that Gem ( my partner ) could shave her remaining hair off, it had been falling out due to the chemotherapy. We were nervous, we were crying, and we were laughing as we shared and recorded this significant moment.
Why we created this and other images, none of us knew exactly why at the time. Though it was helpful, cathartic, and felt right.
After Mum passed away and months later I entered one of our pictures into the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize. It was hugely emotional to be selected. Mum was my biggest fan, and she’d cheered from the rafters when I had previously been selected for this award.
Her portrait is currently on show at the National Portrait Gallery, among other significant work. Visit when you can.
Although deeply personal I hope this image connects, and its wider narrative supports others journeying similar stories in their lives.
The Salt Path
On the path halfway between Minehead and Porlock Weir sits a philosopher. His backpack between the fences, his gaze fixed on the sea, a scarf on his head to protect him from the sun. A year ago, Ian Mulholland (54) was still spending entire days behind his computer, putting the finishing touches to his thesis on Wittgenstein’s Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. It was his daughter who thought he should take a break from his books. So he traded his laptop for a tent and a pair of hiking boots. For the next two months, Mulholland would be walking the South West Coast Path, the day we met being his first day.
“If You ask a philosopher,, there is no truth at all.” - Ian Mulholland
Myself and writer Gemma Venhuizen navigated an early stage of the SW Coast Path, or Salt Path if you’re familiar with the bestseller by author Raynor Winn.
The book having recently faced controversy and allegations, around some of the facts and stories connected with it. A book beloved by many who have read it, including myself.
I met Gemma at the Hotel she had stayed the night previously, near our start point in Minehead.
Gemma navigates this intriguing, and wayward story, from her arrival and an early hitch hiking experience via Taunton, to us meeting up and traversing the hills from Minehead onto Porlock Weir - unravelling the discussions we had with our fellow walkers on the trail, as we discussed and untangled the recent controversy around this much loved book from those we met.
Our feature story was for the Dutch Newspaper NRC
Kintzing
I’ve recently found a new home for my archive, alongside a curated roster of incredible artists.
Kintzing is a new generation artist management agency and licensing platform with offices in London and New York.
They champion creativity, fresh ways of looking at the world and unique storytelling. With an unrivalled network of the world’s most influential visual artists, Kintzing helps tell stories with truly authentic and engaging creative content.
Their authenticity and the curated platform meant this a really exciting space for my work to be shared.
Photographic Masterclass
Just recently I led a photography masterclass at the National Portrait Gallery.
One of those moments I felt cautious about taking on - they can feel a little daunting. Though once asked, it’s hard to say no of course.
I prepped well, this moment of planning in the build up often helping you to realign, and understand your practice on a deeper level. The staff at the gallery were incredibly helpful in supporting much of the process.
The day went to plan and at times skewed off script beautifully, as the students led with their enthusiasm - this often the nature of these workshops.
As ever the learning and energy felt reciprocal, as I absorbed so much from the process and energy of the day.
I’ve enjoyed these opportunities more and more in the last few years, and remain open to further workshops and collaborations like this going forward.
Masterclass - National Portrait Gallery
Print Shop
Perhaps you’re unaware, but I have a Print Shop , a place where I share and sale my limited edition artworks, plus a selection of smaller open editions.
I’ve been fortunate to exhibit my work quite extensively, and along the way I’ve built up connections with many supporters. Their support has been really helpful in encouraging my practice, giving me breathing space to create and collaborate on stories that have an impact.
The archival artworks available are printed on cotton based Hahnemuhle Fine Art paper and the entire process is carefully overseen by myself and a printer I’ve worked closely with for over a decade now.
Peruse the work available, and please feel free to reach out with any enquiries you may have.
You’ll find the print shop here.
However you spend the next few weeks, remember to allow time for yourself as well.
Take a moment to rest and reflect on your journey over the last twelve months. I hope you have a beautiful few weeks and I look forward to sharing, collaborating, or creating with you in the new year.
Speak soon, Joel
x
Always love reading your story about your mom ❤️