Thursday 22 October 19:00
Richard Sawdon Smith is an internationally exhibiting and award-winning British photographer, Professor of Photography and Dean of Arts & Media at Norwich University of the Arts. His portrait ‘Simon’, of his ex-boyfriend who had AIDS, won the John Kobal National Portrait Gallery Photographic Portrait Award in 1997.
This artist uses himself as a model but doesn’t label this self-portraiture. I would describe his process as using his body like a screen onwhich his ideas and concerns are projected. One of the most interesting aspects I find in his work is that he creates alter-egos to stay objective in his practice.
The bravery with which Sawdon Smith highlights issues of identity, sexuality, gender and masculinity is not to be underestimated. His work deconstructs the restricting social construct of heteronormative values imposed on us which has never been more relevant than now.
Richard Sawdon Smith has gone from go-go boy and drag queen hostess to respected professor, artist and boxer and now it is my pleasure to present him for our next LIP Post Punctum talk – Jenny Nash: @SullenRiotPhotography