Based in the UK, I'm an artist and photographer with an interest in contested spaces, expanded forms of evidence, artificial intelligence imaging and the networked image. Encompassing these interconnected themes, I have a diverse practice and work with a range of media, including photography, AI imaging, text, moving-image and sourced, online material.
Bio
My interest in photography began when I trained to become an evidence photographer whilst serving as a combat soldier in the British Army. Documenting terrorist scenes-of-crime and chronicling my day-to-day experiences of 'the Troubles' whilst on a tour-of-duty in Northern Ireland, proved to be the catalyst for developing my fascination with the medium.
Collectively, my early work draws heavily from the experiences of my time in the military. However, my practice also encompasses wider interests, particularly in relation to contested spaces (both physical and digital), the networked image and expanded forms of evidence.
Working in collaboration with British Armed Forces veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan (alongside veterans' organisations and charities, such as the Royal British Legion), I've explored the unseen consequences of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in an attempt to raise awareness of this complex and often misunderstood condition. I've also focussed on the implications inherent within simulated theatres of conflict and the commodification of contemporary warfare by both civilian communities and military institutions.
In later works my practice gravitated around contested spaces on the 'home-front', both in the UK and abroad, where we have witnessed a disturbing rise in nationalist and far-right ideologies. In this vein, some of these works have also explored the caustic language and iconography of division and hatred that permeates contemporary culture.
More recently, my focus has shifted to exploring my long-term fascination with artificial intelligence and the monumental advancements we are currently witnessing in contemporary AI imaging algorithms.
Exhibitions
'Official Portraits for a Post-Truth Era'
Shutter Hub Open
London (2021)
'13 Rembrandts' (an experimental, augmented reality exhibition)
The Wrong Biennale: Sunderland Pavilion
Sunderland (2019 - 2020)
Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Collections Space)
National Glass Centre
Sunderland (2019)
NewBridge Gallery
Newcastle-upon-Tyne (2016)
'Gimme Shelter: Forts & Fictions in the Lowlands'
Kunstfort Asperen & Kuntsfort bij VijFhuizen,
The Netherlands (2015)
Derby (2015)
‘Frames: Projecting International Photography’.
Glasgow (2014)
'You are the Company in Which You Keep'
Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art
Sunderland (2013)
'Northern Ireland: 30 Years of Photography'
Belfast Exposed and the MAC
Belfast (2013)
'Nothing in the World But Youth'
Turner Contemporary
Margate (2011 - 2012)
Bradford International Photography Festival
Bradford (2011)
’Inkubator II: Bunker’
DLI Museum and Art Gallery
Durham (2009)
‘Tour Photographs’ (Featured in ‘War Memorial’ by Julian Germain)
Brighton Photo Biennial. Aspex Gallery
Portsmouth (2008)
Hug Gallery for International Photography
Amsterdam (2006)
‘Made in Britain: Contemporary British Photography’
Huis Marseille and FOAM Institute
Amsterdam (2005)
‘Visions and Anxieties’
Northern Gallery of Contemporary Art (Project Space)
Sunderland (2004)
‘Left Right Left’ & ‘Tour Photographs’
Baltic: Centre for Contemporary Art
Gateshead (2004)
'Year One: A Snapshot of Britain' (Curated by Martin Parr)
The Photographers' Gallery
London (2001)
Publications
'Frontlines'
Self-Published Newspaper - Artist's Edition of 50 (2016)
'Format 15: Evidence’
Published by Quad/Format (2015)
'de Marseillaise: Fifteen Years of Collecting’
Published by Huis Marseille (2014)
‘Northern Ireland: 30 Years of Photography'
Published by Belfast Exposed and the MAC (2013)
'Evidence: Ways of Looking’
Published by Impressions Gallery (2011)
'Nothing in the World But Youth
Published by Turner Contemporary Press (2011)
'Demobbed'
Self-Published - Artist's Edition of 50 (2009)
‘Made in Britain: Contemporary British Photography’
Published by Huis Marseille & FOAM Institute (2005)
'Left Right Left’
Published by PhotoNorth (2003)
Collections
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Belfast Exposed, Belfast
Huis Marseille: Museum of Photography, Amsterdam
Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, Sunderland
© Craig Ames 2022. All rights reserved.
With thanks to the many organisations and institutions that have supported me over the years, including:
University of Sunderland
Northern Centre of Photography
NEPN (North East Photography Network)
Victoria & Albert Museum
The Photographers' Gallery
Belfast Exposed
Arts Council England
Turner Contemporary
Format Photography Festival
Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art
Huis Marseille: Museum of Photography
Baltic: Centre for Contemporary Art
Bradford Photography Festival
Shutter Hub
NewBridge Project
British Army
Royal British Legion
research is currently underway which is centred around artificial intelligence, machine learning and machine vision, as well as virtual and augmented realities and simulations.
Contact
In Development:
'Photographs of British Algae – AI Impressions'
(New photobook coming soon...)
'New Topographies – Images of an Algorithmic Landscape'
(New photobook coming soon...)
'Twentysix Image Returns'
(New photobook coming soon...)
Working Towards a Greener Future
As part of a growing commitment to make my practice more environmentally sustainable, my digital studio is run on 100% renewable energy. Where possible, paper-based prints, tests, mock-ups and photobooks are made using recycled or FSC approved paper stocks. I only source packaging that is made from recycled materials and is 100% recyclable.
In addition, I became a member of the Marine Conservation Society in 2022 and I also support the Woodland Trust's sustainable rewilding project.
For further info about the Woodland Trust or to support their responsible rewilding initiative, please visit: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
For further info about the Marine Conservation Society or to support their work, please visit: www.mcsuk.org