Statement
Ames' interest in photography began when he undertook training to become an Evidence Photographer whilst serving as a combat soldier in the British Army in Northern Ireland. Documenting terrorist scenes-of-crime and chronicling his day-to-day experiences of 'the troubles' proved to be the catalyst for developing his fascination with the medium.
Developing a wide-range of visual strategies, Ames offers alternative understandings of conflict and systems of control - as well as their broader implications - that seek to question established conventions.
Collectively, his early work draws heavily from his personal experience of his time in the military. Whilst much of this work can be viewed as autobiographical, 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) he has also explored the 'unseen' consequences of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). His attentions have also focussed on the commodification of contemporary conflict by both civilian communities and military institutions.
More recently, his work has returned to the home-front in response to Brexit and the rise of nationalist ideologies. Responding to a range of themes, (including bias in AI data-sets and scrutinising those who wield political power) a number of new projects are currently in production and should be completed in early/mid 2020.
Exhibitions
‘13 Rembrandts’ (Presented in augmented reality)
The Wrong Biennale: Sunderland Pavilion
Sunderland (2019-2020)
Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Collections Space)
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)
‘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
'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
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© Craig Ames 2019. All rights reserved.
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
New projects coming soon...
'Badges of Dishonour'
(exhibition and/or artist's book. To be published in early/mid 2020)
'Back There'
(Reworked and presented for the first time as a self-published artist's book. To be published in early/mid 2020)