Catapulted into the labour market back in 1974 after leaving High School aged 16, I became a 'window dresser' for F W Woolworth in my home-town of Plymouth. Edward Heath became PM and the Country had entered the 'Common Market'.
1974, London calling: determined to achieve fame and fortune and to get away from small Town life, I bought a bass guitar and learned to play around 4 chords. Results in a job with a London based band using mostly session musicians.
Toured European dance-band circuit, travelling 30,000 miles a year in a bombed out Ford transit (long wheel base) around Europe and UK.
1976, Dubai calling: disillusioned with London, getting mugged, squats, mice and snow I was determined to travel further than Europe. Eventually an agent booked the band into a hotel in Dubai for the summer of '76. IT WAS HOT and I was 19. It was and still is the most amazing experience of my life. Hardly anyone in UK had heard of Dubai and I felt special! I didn't feel so special when I worked in Iran in 1977. We got caught in a revolution and were lucky enough to escape by being sent home after a 3 month gig near the Shah's Palace.
Dubai became my stomping ground and the beginnings of a new transition into photography. The light and the time was right.
1976-82: Learning new skills in photojournalism, theatre and production with Dubai TV, The British Council and Emirates Publications while meeting lots of cultured, even famous people of the time. Photography/Fashion, Theatre/Stage Production.
1982-86: London calling, West End theatre photography@ Sadlers Wells, ICA and Donmar Warehouse, Runner Duran Duran video 'Is there something I should know', travelling Greece, Africa, Thailand, Sri Lanka
1986-89: Dubai calling: enough of London and the Home counties and struggling on the dole..Learning new skills in Graphic Design and Publication, Photographing industry, commerce, people, culture.
First major exhibition of paintings.
Gulf War interrupts the equilibrium.
Britain heads into a recession!
1990's: UK calling, Chairman of art group 'Third Floor'. Our programme was to deliver art directly to the Public and build a platform for artists to reach communities.
1995: Exhibitions and collaborations: Director/producer of 'The Eden Event' @Plymouth Tinside (Plymouth City Council), '24 Hour sketch design (Plymouth Architecture College) guest exhibitor 1st A/V installation, The Mad Hatter Cafe (arts Cafe), Barbican Theatre collaboration and exhibition of members work.
1996: BBC Radio Devon : Production trainee, broadcast journalism. .
1996-2005 Painting and Photography, experimental phase. Painting, metalwork, design. First photographic exhibition of 'Urban bikers, Skaters and nudes' @'Les Bagatelle Cafe' Plymouth City Gallery.
After an innovative period of my life, collaborating with like-minded artists and engaging in intellectual dialogue etc. I elected to try education.
2006: City College, Plymouth (Access to HE diploma with distinctions), Plymouth college of Art (Foundation degree Film Art with distinction/ BA Fine Art
2007: Yr1 Film Art, Outstanding achievement award. Screening of Super 8 short film at Cafe Concrete, Plymouth (a collaborative event). Principal videographer for Hidden City project. Principal Videographer @The Plymouth Pavilions events; Status Quo, Jules Holland with Lulu, Kung-Fu Shaolin Monks.
2012:
Photographic Work First Featured in 'Tribe magazine issue 1 pp 92-105
BA Fine Art end of year show on June 23rd-29th 2012 @ Studio 11 Plymouth College of Art, Subject: Dystopia
June 18th 2012: A showing of work in Times Square , and Long Island, New York as part of the Artists Wanted Art Takes Times Square and See.Me exhibitions.
2014: Area Volunteer for The Churches Conservation Trust
2015: Book publication expected 'Dubai grand Prix 1981 a collection of photographs I took with access all areas permit courtesy of Dubai TV 1981
1974, London calling: determined to achieve fame and fortune and to get away from small Town life, I bought a bass guitar and learned to play around 4 chords. Results in a job with a London based band using mostly session musicians.
Toured European dance-band circuit, travelling 30,000 miles a year in a bombed out Ford transit (long wheel base) around Europe and UK.
1976, Dubai calling: disillusioned with London, getting mugged, squats, mice and snow I was determined to travel further than Europe. Eventually an agent booked the band into a hotel in Dubai for the summer of '76. IT WAS HOT and I was 19. It was and still is the most amazing experience of my life. Hardly anyone in UK had heard of Dubai and I felt special! I didn't feel so special when I worked in Iran in 1977. We got caught in a revolution and were lucky enough to escape by being sent home after a 3 month gig near the Shah's Palace.
Dubai became my stomping ground and the beginnings of a new transition into photography. The light and the time was right.
1976-82: Learning new skills in photojournalism, theatre and production with Dubai TV, The British Council and Emirates Publications while meeting lots of cultured, even famous people of the time. Photography/Fashion, Theatre/Stage Production.
1982-86: London calling, West End theatre photography@ Sadlers Wells, ICA and Donmar Warehouse, Runner Duran Duran video 'Is there something I should know', travelling Greece, Africa, Thailand, Sri Lanka
1986-89: Dubai calling: enough of London and the Home counties and struggling on the dole..Learning new skills in Graphic Design and Publication, Photographing industry, commerce, people, culture.
First major exhibition of paintings.
Gulf War interrupts the equilibrium.
Britain heads into a recession!
1990's: UK calling, Chairman of art group 'Third Floor'. Our programme was to deliver art directly to the Public and build a platform for artists to reach communities.
1995: Exhibitions and collaborations: Director/producer of 'The Eden Event' @Plymouth Tinside (Plymouth City Council), '24 Hour sketch design (Plymouth Architecture College) guest exhibitor 1st A/V installation, The Mad Hatter Cafe (arts Cafe), Barbican Theatre collaboration and exhibition of members work.
1996: BBC Radio Devon : Production trainee, broadcast journalism. .
1996-2005 Painting and Photography, experimental phase. Painting, metalwork, design. First photographic exhibition of 'Urban bikers, Skaters and nudes' @'Les Bagatelle Cafe' Plymouth City Gallery.
After an innovative period of my life, collaborating with like-minded artists and engaging in intellectual dialogue etc. I elected to try education.
2006: City College, Plymouth (Access to HE diploma with distinctions), Plymouth college of Art (Foundation degree Film Art with distinction/ BA Fine Art
2007: Yr1 Film Art, Outstanding achievement award. Screening of Super 8 short film at Cafe Concrete, Plymouth (a collaborative event). Principal videographer for Hidden City project. Principal Videographer @The Plymouth Pavilions events; Status Quo, Jules Holland with Lulu, Kung-Fu Shaolin Monks.
2012:
Photographic Work First Featured in 'Tribe magazine issue 1 pp 92-105
BA Fine Art end of year show on June 23rd-29th 2012 @ Studio 11 Plymouth College of Art, Subject: Dystopia
June 18th 2012: A showing of work in Times Square , and Long Island, New York as part of the Artists Wanted Art Takes Times Square and See.Me exhibitions.
2014: Area Volunteer for The Churches Conservation Trust
2015: Book publication expected 'Dubai grand Prix 1981 a collection of photographs I took with access all areas permit courtesy of Dubai TV 1981