Photography as Critical Practice

Richard Wentworth posited that the most interesting sculptures are to be found on the street. I am inclined to agree, and what interests me mostly are the ways in which (mostly public, urban) space is occupied, shaped and used – often as a means of communication. Once you start looking in that way, almost all public space is covered with messages: 'keep out', 'buy this', 'believe in that', 'I am successful', 'I hate this', 'I am disillusioned', 'we would like you to think what's here is better than it actually is', and so on… I’m also frequently struck by the essential weirdness of what we sometimes surround ourselves with but then fail to notice because we are so inured to it. Reframing such things to defamiliarise them is also part of this. But I am also interested the formal qualities of space, either as it already is, or as it exists in the context of the photographic medium. Consequently, the exploration sometimes spills over into further experimentation in the editing process. I am less interested in the well-crafted, beautiful photograph than these other issues.

All photographs are available to buy as signed (on reverse), C-Type, open-edition prints; nominal price for nominally A4 is £35 inc. post (UK). Other sizes may be available – it depends on how the original shot was taken and stored. A small number may only be available smaller for the same reasons. Please email to enquire regarding this and overseas shipping.

My professional commercial photography practice can be found at www.stephenrileyphoto.co.uk