Artists Who Inspire Me: Paul Graham

Over the Christmas break, I’ve been reading Paul Graham’s A1 – The Great North Road and his eponymous book published by Phaidon. Graham is an artist who I've come across a few times but only recently had the time to have a deep-dive into his work.  The A1 book provides a social documentary of life on this arterial road in early 80s Britain.  Graham made many trips up and down this road that runs from the Bank of England in London to Edinburgh, accompanied by this large format camera.  There’s an appealing nostalgic feel to seeing these images that are rooted in a period, a period I just about remember. Starting with an image of busy executives outside the Bank of England, the narrative heads north from London and reveals tired roadside cafes along with their staff and clients; large power station against a rural backdrop, car dumps and industry, gradually portraying the struggle, decay and neglect of the people who live and work along this route. It was unique for its time in Graham’s use of colour images: up to that point, black and white dominated British photography.    

Another body of his work that I’m enjoying is Beyond Caring.  Set in unemployment offices, again in 80s Britain, the images provide an account of the high unemployment in this period.  You can sense the drab, uninspiring atmosphere of these buildings and the desperation of the people forced to inhabit them.  

Graham’s work from this period is very thought provoking for me as I begin to take decisions over the direction of my work.  I’m starting to see themes of marginalisation, loneliness, particularly amongst males, and these bodies of work, which are over forty years old now, still provide relevant case studies.