John Peter Askew
Biography
“My first camera was a 21st birthday present from my father. Sometimes presents can be things that you don’t really like or want but I remember treasuring this. I remember taking some photos of the steep steps in Newcastle leading down to the quayside. At home, I made a picture of a floral patterned waste bin in a flowerbed. There was also one of my mum and dad in bed on Christmas morning. It didn’t come out quite right as the light got into the back of the camera and distorted the colours. That fascinated me. My father was drinking a cup of tea while my mother read from a book by Alison Uttley. My dad was half in and half out of the light”
Askew’s photograph’s have remained ‘local’ and ‘personal’ and throughout his career his work has retained this intimacy.
His maverick photographic work ‘We | Photographs from Russia 1996-2017’, published in two volumes, is a timely reminder of humanity, celebrating friendship communality and kindness.
Recent solo exhibitions include Washington Arts Centre, Washington (2021); Pushkin House, London (2020); Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, Sunderland (2019). He has exhibited at UK venues including the Royal Academy, London (2021); The Photographers’ Gallery, London (1999, 1996) ; Ikon, Birmingham (1997) ; the National Museum of Photography, Bradford (1998); Dilston Grove, London (2001), and at major international exhibitions including Contemporary British Photography, Rosphoto Museum, St Petersburg (2022); the Prague Biennale (2005); British Photography Today, Recontres de la Photographie d’Arles (1998).
Critical Writing / Press
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