Artist Spotlight - Phil Dunbar — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Biography

Phil Dunbar started photography at school in England using a second-hand box camera. He learnt to make images both with a camera and camera-less, and how to develop and print from film.

Paris Passages #1, 2024, Photography on Canvas, 60x48cm

In his career in telecommunications he travelled widely and a camera always accompanied him. On retirement, he focussed his attention on developing his photography as an art form, developing his skills in diverse photographic techniques. He has continued his photographic education with courses at the Jeu de Paume in Paris and the Royal Photographic Society.

Phil’s aim is to use his photographic techniques to express the emotions felt at the time of making the image, rather than a “straight” image of the scene. To achieve this he uses intentional camera movement, a technique that involves moving the camera in a controlled manner while the shutter is open.

The last drop #1, 2020, Photography on Aluminium, 60x40cm

The combination of this technique with others such as in-camera multi-exposure, produces images that are abstract and impressionistic: they leave a lot of space for viewers to interpret the intent of the photographer while allowing them to introduce their own thoughts and emotions.

The last drop #2, 2020, Photography on Aluminium, 60x40cm

Phil has exhibited in France, United Kingdom, Dubai, Brazil and Mexico.

• Gold Medal in Dubai 2017
• Saõ Paolo, Brazil 2017
• Limiera, Brazil 2017
• Premier Prix du Jury France 2019
• Gold Medal London 2020
• Maya Museum Cancun, Mexico 2024
• Prix Photographique Salon Arts, Sciences Lettres, Paris 2024
• Group exhibitions in Paris and in Calvados, France

His work is published in the photobook Water by the Royal Photographic Society.

After the sun goes down, 2023, Photography on Aluminium, 60x40cm

Artist Statement

The aim of my work is to translate the emotions that I experience when I see a scene, read an article or think about a news story, into an image that can communicate some of those emotions. I have something in mind that I want to communicate, but I want allow the viewer to interpret the result in his or her own way.

https://phildunbar.myportfolio.com/
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