Graduate Spotlight Feature – Sam Spinks
In honour of supporting those who have recently graduated from a photographic course during such turbulent times, we have chosen to run a graduate spotlight feature to reveal some of the incredible work that we have seen through degree shows and social media exposure.
It has been both heart-warming and inspiring to see the tireless efforts of so many students to persevere with their creative practice, which truly shows the supportive network that both the photographic and wider artistic community have formed over the last year to elevate each other’s creativity and exposure. At The South West Collective we are honoured to be immersed amongst this, which leads to our first graduate feature, Sam Spinks of The University of West England.
‘Sam Spinks is a documentary-style photographer with a specific focus on telling personal stories through a range of photographic methods. Sam uses photography as a tool for personal growth and exploration; a process that has developed over the past three years and continues to be ever evolving. With his work, he aims to create a world to which others can relate and find comfort in exploring. Sam’s photography began in the landscapes of Suffolk, allowing him to make the most of nature wherever he finds it. Influenced by the work of Guido Guidi and Ron Jude, as well as writers and poets like Max Porter and Czeslaw Milosz, Sam’s approach to photography is an inward one, trying to tell stories and explore his character in ways that others connect to.’
Sam’s graduate project is called ‘A Page of Solid Ink’.
In his own words:
“A Page of Solid Ink is a year-long project which started during the tail end of the first nationwide lockdown. I found that my photographic focus was being affected by current events, primarily the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences of being stuck inside for long periods of time and spending a lot of time with my own thoughts. Inspired by the work of Ted Hughes, I focused my attention inwards and examined the darker side of my character within my work. In Hughes’ Crow (1974), the character of Crow is constructed to highlight the dark, destructive and chaotic side of our lives and personalities; I found solace in the character of Crow. This influence allowed me to understand some of my own character flaws such as anger and jealousy.”
So many students have found comfort in their photographic practice during lockdowns, as a means of an expressive outlet for feelings that we were unable to convey otherwise. The ability to have a creative outlet has seen the uprise of some beautiful projects coming together, and ‘A Page of Solid Ink’ is a perfect example of this. Sam’s ability to negotiate with his emotions and focus on the portrayal of the character Crow is an intelligent interpretation of the ability we have to express ourselves during times of crisis and pressure.
The undertones of darkness inspired by Crow are conveyed within Spinks’ imagery, allowing us to really sense the chaos in which we all felt during our individual darkest times of the pandemic thus far, making Sam’s work relatable to so many. The imagery has a subtle beauty. It is enchanting and whimsical, drawing us towards the narrative like a moth to a flame. Shots of the natural landscape combined with non-traditional portraiture makes ‘A Page of Solid Ink’ so impactful, and ambiguous. These images have qualities of intimacy, focusing on form and content. This is what perhaps brings out the qualities of darkness and chaos in which Sam desired to portray. One striking aspect of the body of work is the decision to shoot solely in black and white. This hones in on emotion and focussed our vision on the harrowing beauty which the images create in totality.
Find Sam at @sam_spinks on Instagram or at www.samspinks.cargo.site/
Article by Molly-Anne Webb: https://www.mollyannephotography.co.uk
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