When you learn of Irish photographer Linda Brownlee's unconventional path to her current profession, you know that this is somebody who was determined to spend her days doing something she loved. I for one find her really inspiring, all too easy people give up and resign themselves to the thought that they're just never going to figure out what they really want to do. In the words of Baz Luhrman "Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life, the most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds still don't know." Here's where Linda's determination and self will came in handy.
She set out with her eye on a career in radio and graduated from Dublin City University, with a degree in communications. She then had a change of heart, and decided that fine art might be more suitable and completed a portfolio course with the intention of going on to do a degree. It was while doing this course that she started taking lots of pictures, and her grá for photography grew. From there, she learned her trade in a suitably pragmatic fashion, spending a year and a half working in a Kildare portrait studio.
Since taking a leap of faith by moving to London 6 years ago, her portraits, documentary stories, and fashion work have featured in numerous international publications such as Russian Vogue, Dazed & Confused, Nylon, and the Guardian. I particularly love Linda's portrait work and her inquisitive nature is at the fore here. More than her gifted technique is expressed; also evident is her connection and understanding of her subject matter, resulting in atmospheric images with individuals presented in their indigenous surroundings. What strikes me about Linda's work is how real and present it feels and in no way effected.
Linda recently published her first book, Achill, a place she has been visiting since childhood. The development of the publication has allowed her to form a new relationship with this place she loves so much. Achill focuses on the Island’s landscape and young generation of inhabitants. An exploration into young peoples' relationship with their island and how they felt about growing up there. Linda plans to bring an exhibition of Achill to Ireland in the Spring, once the details are confirmed, we can share the when and the where with you, so watch this space. In the meantime, I asked Linda to share with us a little bit about what's in her everyday world and what and where brings her joy.
Linda recently published her first book, Achill, a place she has been visiting since childhood. The development of the publication has allowed her to form a new relationship with this place she loves so much. Achill focuses on the Island’s landscape and young generation of inhabitants. An exploration into young peoples' relationship with their island and how they felt about growing up there. Linda plans to bring an exhibition of Achill to Ireland in the Spring, once the details are confirmed, we can share the when and the where with you, so watch this space. In the meantime, I asked Linda to share with us a little bit about what's in her everyday world and what and where brings her joy.
- Favourite Discovery: My Mamiya 7 camera and my electric clothes defuzzer
- Place: Ilha Grande, Brazil
- Movie: Some Like it Hot
- Song: Cass Mccombs - Don't Vote
- Style Inspiration: The streets of London
- City to Shop: Paris
- Favourite Shop: APC
- On My Feet: Brogue-ish shoes and Nike runners
- On My Body: Jeans, slacks, short skirts & dresses
- At Home: You’ll find plenty from the Sunbury Antique Market
- Favourite Artist: Baldessari
- Coffee Table Book: Haunted Air by Ossian Brown
- Favourite Flower:Lizzianthium & Orange Tulips
- Favourite Room: The Kitchen
- Smell: Chanel Chance
Image 1: Achill
Saw her feature in a joint exhibition in London a few months ago. Amazing. Allot of talent there and one to keep a very close eye on xXx
ReplyDeleteShe's incredibly talented Emma, it was great to have the opportunity to do an post on her work to the blog!
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