jaggedart - Paul Hart about the artist

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	Paul Hart


	The style of Paul Hart's photography combines classical elements with a contemporary vision. The fact that he employs traditional working methods and materials is therefore a significant part of his creative process. Paul believes that the physical process of creating a silver gelatin print is an integral part of his image making. By using traditional wet darkroom methods, a quality of definition and tone may be produced which works in harmony with the actual subject matter. Paul's rural upbringing undoubtedly influences his work. Fascinated by the often surreal nature of both natural and man made forms, broadly speaking his interest is in the environment. For him, the ordinary or overlooked subject invariable deserves closer attention and it is this selective quality which is intrinsic to his style. Although essentially realist, Paul's work does not beautify nature, neither is nostalgic, but rather reflects the passing of time. With Paul's attention to detail these images have an historical significance as well as an artistic one. Prints are produced in limited editions, selenium toned and mounted using conservation material. To ensure the permanence of these hand-crafted images, work is printed to internal archival standards, a quality required by many art buyers.	DARK PEAK Dark Peak is the name of the wooded slopes where these pictures were made. The initial fascination with this woodland was born out of it’s comparative isolation. For the moment, mankind doesn’t interfere, and the forest holds an alluring mysteriousness. The forest interior is more architecture than landscape, but essentially , a spiritual place. However, this apparent sanctuary of stillness can strangely transform, feeling more like a trap. As you move deeper inside, and the outside world disappears, the wind is calmed and noise filtered, temperature is altered, and light is bounced and subdued. Some trees stand like sentinels, others are stolid in ranks, an army of trees appearing out of the dark. Amongst the trees, your concept of time is changed, as this place is it’s own world, not part of any other. Stepping into the forest is always like stepping into the unknown, with the semi-dark concealing much, revealing a little. A place sometimes mysterious, sometimes secretive, but always seductive and always dark. Paul Hart
	Paul Hart was born in the UK in 1961. From 1988 Hart worked for six years as an advertising photographer’s assistant, traveling to Europe and the USA. In 1995 he embarked on a freelance career specialising in horticultural stock photography and private commissions. These images are used internationally for advertising, publishing and editorial, by clients such as BBC Worldwide and The Royal Horticultural Society. From 2000 Hart has concentrated solely on personal projects SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2006 Nature’s Solace, jaggedart, London 2003 Landscape Stephen Lacey at Temple Chambers, London SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2007 Photo-London, Eric Franck Fine Art, London The Far Horizo, jaggedart, London The London Art Fair, jaggedart, London 2006 Photokina Ilford- Photo Cologne Represented The Photographers’ Gallery, London 2005 Contemporary Art Fair, jaggedart, New York Floral Portraits, The Photographers’ Gallery, London 2004 The London Art Fair, jaggedart, London Summer Exhibition, The Photographers’ Gallery, London Contemporary Camera, Byard Art, Cambridge 2003 Life in the City, Will’s Art Warehouse,London Location, Byard Art, Cambridge Contemporary Art Fair,Will’s Art Warehouse, New York 2002 Size Matters, The Stephen Lacey Gallery, London EDUCATION 1985-1988 BA(Hons) Photography Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham 1983-1984 Art & Design Foundation Lincoln College of Art, Lincoln	SPONSORSHIP & AWARDS International Photography Awards 2007 -’Honorable Mention’ Professional Fine Art Landscape category for ‘Dark Peak’ Hart’s work is used by Ilford-Photo to promote their Black and White Paper range worldwide REVIEWS & PUBLICATIONS 2007 Dark Peak, Chris Dickie, Ag 48, Journal of Photography 2006 Photography Projects, Chris Dickie Argentum Nature’s Solace, Corinna Lotz, www. worldtowin.net 2005 Intimate Plants, Melissa De Witt, Hotshoe International 134 Portfolio Review, Chris Dickie, AG 38 Journal of Photography Decorating Walls, Miranda Watchorn, Homes & Gardens - June A Day in the Life, Terry Hope, Professional photographer - 05 Floral Portraits, Niki Michelin, Great 58 2004 In Full Bloom, Bob Aylott, Amateur photographer The Art of Printsales, Chris Dickie, AG 35 Journal of Photography Out of the Darkroom, Chris Dickie AG 33 Journal of Photography