Gem Fletcher speaks with artists Max Ferguson & Cian Oba-Smith about the ways they use photography to unravel ideas around time, space, memory and the scars left behind. The discussion will explore the individual artist’s latest work presented at Peckham 24; Cian’s Among Flowers, Tears and Rain, a documentation of knife violence in London and Max’s The Tower Block, which reflects on the role of The London College of Communication building, that has served thousands of students since its inception.
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Max Ferguson is an artist, photo editor and educator. He is the Founder of Oval Press and Splash & Grab Magazine; the Photography Editor of Granta Magazine; and a Senior Lecturer in photography at the London College of Communication. Alongside Cian Oba-Smith, he co-authored The Portrait Photographer’s Manual (Thames & Hudson). Max is the author of three photo books: Whistling for Owls, Deadfall and Whiplash Memorial (WIP). Recent exhibitions include solo shows of Whiplash Memorial at IC Visual Lab (Bristol) and KOPPEL Collective (London).
Cian Oba-Smith is an Irish Nigerian photographer born and raised in London. His work focuses on communities and subcultures around the world with a particular interest in approaching subjects that are often misrepresented with a view to presenting them in an alternate light. The relationship between human experience and environment is at the core of his projects.
Gem Fletcher is a writer, cultural programmer and podcaster whose work explores photography, art and contemporary culture and how they shape and inform who we are and how we live. Her work has been published in Foam, Aperture, Dazed, It’s Nice That, Creative Review, 1000 Words and The British Journal of Photography. She also hosts The Messy Truth podcast, a series of candid conversations that unpack the future of visual culture and what it means to be a photographer today. Now in its tenth season, Gem explores reflections on criticism, starting out, mental health, politics and success with guests like Antwuan Sargent, Catherine Opie, Farah Al Qasimi, Carmen Winant and many more.
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Max Ferguson's The Tower Block and Cian Oba-Smith's Among Flowers, Tears and Rain will be on display in Copeland Gallery as part of Peckham 24, 15-17 May.