Jade Fantom graduated from Nottingham Trent University’s BA Photography programme in 2018 where she was awarded the Genesis Imaging & Lakeside Arts Bursary Award: £1000 of production services towards an exhibition of work one year after graduation, as part of our commitment to students. ‘Out in the Open’ at Lakeside Arts is Jade Fantom’s first solo show.
‘Out in the Open’ explores the artist’s recent journey to New Zealand and Australia, two countries with such diverse and incredible natural landscapes. Her photographs seek to capture the raw beauty of the land and the strong sense of freedom she feels when surrounded by vast open spaces.
Together, New Zealand and Australia have less than half of the UK’s population, despite both countries being larger in size. This is reflected in the series by the lack of human presence and the feeling of being untouched, rather than overcrowded and destroyed. The bold shapes and scale of the mountains are powerful and intensify the landscapes, which the artist hopes will leave the viewer in awe of the world, exactly as she feels when exploring each destination.
The collection of images also presents the idea of memory on a personal level to the artist. Whilst travelling, moments like these fade as quickly as the sun dips below the horizon. The excitement of yesterday is often replaced by the adventures of today. Yet, photography preserves each instant, allowing the artist to document the moment and experience for both the viewer and herself.
Jade Fantom ‘Out in the Open’ Exhibition at Lakeside Arts
Sat 21 Sep – Sun 27 Oct 2019
Lakeside Arts Centre,
University Park,
Nottingham,
NG7 2RD