Abstract

Crystal Palace is the subject of this series of photographs, based upon the gardens created by Joseph Paxton for the Great Exhibition of 1851. The works explore this location as a site constructed in the of the spirit of the picturesque movement. These photographs focus on the curious life-sized sculptures of prehistoric animals, which are semi-concealed amongst foliage to create a bizarrely exotic setting. The creatures are shown within the context of particular picturesque features in the park and so lend themselves perfectly to the work's preoccupation with 19th Century landscape painting. These works make particular reference to the writings of William Gilpin and Uvedale Price, two proponents of the British picturesque movement. These works were produced as part of an AHRC Research Leave funding (£15,000.00) project, for a period of practice-based research commencing September 2008, until May 2009. This research project made new links between the study of European landscape painting of the Romantic period, the consideration of landscape within the disciplines of social history and cultural studies, and contemporary fine art photography. Details: Series of three works, entitled, 'The Palace I, II, III', colour lightjet photographic prints, each measuring 92 cm x 122 cm. Edition of three.