About | craigames

Established, UK based artist/photographer, primarily concerned with contested spaces and/or the language of division. Working with a range of media including: photography, text, moving-image and sourced, online material.

Bio

Ames' interest in photography began when he trained to become an evidence photographer whilst serving as a combat soldier in the British Army. Documenting terrorist scenes-of-crime and chronicling his day-to-day experiences of 'the Troubles' whilst on a six month tour-of-duty in Northern Ireland, proved to be the catalyst for developing his fascination with the medium.

Developing a wide-range of visual and image/text strategies, Ames offers alternative understandings of conflict and systems of control that seek to question established conventions.

Collectively, his early work draws heavily from his personal experience of his time in the military. However, Ames’ practice also encompass his wider research interests, particularly contemporary representations of conflict and the military.

Working in collaboration with British Armed Forces veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan (alongside veterans' organisations and charities, such as the Royal British Legion), he has also explored the 'unseen' consequences of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in an attempt to raise awareness of this complex and often misunderstood condition. His attentions have also focussed on the commodification of contemporary conflict by both civilian communities and military institutions.

Later projects have shifted towards new areas of interest, exploring issues such as Brexit and the disturbing rise of nationalist and far-right ideologies, as well as the caustic language of division and hatred that permeates contemporary culture.

Responding to a range of increasingly interconnected themes his most recent works involve scrutinising and then (re)visualising those who wield and shape political power on the global stage ('Official Portraits for a Post-Truth Era' and 'Photo-Op memes' and 'The Infernal Divide'), as well as exposing the disturbing implication once symbols of prejudice and hatred become normalised.

Exhibitions

(Work(s) to be announced)

Shutter Hub Open 20/21

Amsterdam (2021)

'13 Rembrandts' (an experimental, augmented reality exhibition)

The Wrong Biennale: Sunderland Pavilion

Sunderland (2019 - 2020)

‘Kill Zones’

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Collections Space)

National Glass Centre

Sunderland (2019)

‘Hidden Civil War’

NewBridge Gallery

Newcastle-upon-Tyne (2016)

'Gimme Shelter: Forts & Fictions in the Lowlands'

Kunstfort Asperen & Kuntsfort bij VijFhuizen,

The Netherlands (2015)

‘Format Photography Festival’

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)

'Ways of Looking: Evidence'

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)

‘Left Right Left’

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

'Badges of Dishonour'

Self-Published Artist's Book - Artist's Edition of 50 (2020)

'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

With thanks to the many organisations and institutions that have supported me over the years, including:

Arts Council England
North East Photography Network
Victoria & Albert Museum
University of Sunderland
Northern Centre of Photography
Belfast Exposed
Format Photography Festival
Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art
Turner Contemporary
The Photographers' Gallery
Huis Marseille: Museum of Photography
Baltic: Centre for Contemporary Art
Bradford Photography Festival
Shutter Hub
NewBridge Project
British Army
Royal British Legion
Sea Cadet Corps

research is currently underway which is centred around artificial intelligence, machine learning and machine vision, as well as virtual and augmented realities and simulations.