IN INDUSTRY LAST UPDATED : 25 OCTOBER 2019
BA (Hons) Photography graduate John Boaz’s ‘Our Father’ series was recently featured in the British Journal of Photography’s Class of 2019 – a feature that showcased 12 exceptional emerging photographers graduating from colleges and universities across the UK in their print magazine.
Being one of UK’s most prestigious and long-established publications on photography, the British Journal of Photography takes an international perspective on contemporary photography, from fine art and documentary to editorial and commercial practices.
The Journal focusses on different themes each month, including regular subjects such as Education, Journeys, Community and Portrait. Portrait is a large part of John’s ongoing reflective and contemplative documentary series ‘Our Father’, which combines portraiture with still life and visual observation.
John was inspired to do this series of work after spending a lot of time reflecting on who he was. For his Final Major Project at University he wanted to create a piece of work that was about something that was foreign to him, but also something that had similarities to his own life and upbringing. As a child John was brought up in a modern evangelical Christian community. His family lived and shared a lifestyle with others in a huge house where faith was expressed and lived out daily. John drifted away from faith in his early teens, but around the age of 18 an intense and unexplainable spiritual experience made him return to his faith.
Based on the monks and nuns of monastic communities within Britain that are still currently active today, ‘Our Father’ aims to document and explore themes of spirituality, faith, peace and human connection in a way that is visually both poetic and creative.
‘I have always had a strong love for the complexity, diversity and beauty within humanity’, said John, who aimed to document these communities with sensitivity and respect and has a vision of documenting the majority of monastic communities through Britain.
John uses his camera to quietly observe the individuals, landscapes and interiors. While incorporating light and texture, his subjects are pictured going about their daily lives as they practise their faith unconditionally.
‘The fact that these communities still exist fascinates me’, the 23-year-old said.
At first Boaz really couldn’t quite believe it when he found out that the British Journal of Photography wanted to feature his series in one of their printed articles. Being one of his favourite photographic magazines and organisations, he was very honoured that they had even heard of his work let alone published it. As an upcoming creative he was also grateful for the feature as it has begun to lead onto other opportunities.
John commented on how his time at BCU helped him to develop a photographic identity and refine his style and approach. He added that the course shaped the way he views photography and taught him how it can be used as a tool to communicate important messages and stories.
Find out more about how staff can support your photography ambitions by visiting the BA (Hons) Photography course page or joining us at an Open Day.
For further details on John's work please visit his website.