honorable mention
Theo Deproost united kingdom
title
Unfamiliar
The smoke-filled backgrounds that surround the objects are key to the visual identity of ‘Unfamiliar’. Inspired by Debbie Jegede’s desire to focus on respiratory medicine, they represent both air-borne pollutants and medicinal inhalants. The dark, nebulous shapes disclose the potential health-risks associated with the chosen objects.
The bold colours draw the eye and engage the attention of the viewer. On a deeper level, the rich, saturated tones evoke memories of objects, environments and experiences. The spectrum of light used to create each image is limited to two carefully selected colours, further influencing the viewer's perception of the subject-matter. The use of bold colour, surreal lighting and vivid detail is consistent with Theo Deproost's wider practice.
Rather than communicating a rigid proposition or narrative, Deproost creates vivid colours, arresting detail and beguiling shapes to stimulate the memory and imagination of the viewer, encouraging a more exploratory perspective. Each image passes through a filter of the viewer’s thoughts and experiences, where unique connections and interpretations are formed.
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entry description
‘Unfamiliar’ is a collaboration between photographer Theo Deproost, physician associate Debbie Jegede and senior curator Lowri Jones, commissioned by the Royal College of Physicians, London. The images honour the historical significance of objects from the college's museum stores, whilst also transporting them to a realm beyond any specific time period; a new, undefined space for the viewer to study and re-interpret the items. Bringing together Theo Deproost's creative skill-set and Debbie Jegede's medical experience also highlights the efficacy of collaborations between the arts and sciences.The smoke-filled backgrounds that surround the objects are key to the visual identity of ‘Unfamiliar’. Inspired by Debbie Jegede’s desire to focus on respiratory medicine, they represent both air-borne pollutants and medicinal inhalants. The dark, nebulous shapes disclose the potential health-risks associated with the chosen objects.
The bold colours draw the eye and engage the attention of the viewer. On a deeper level, the rich, saturated tones evoke memories of objects, environments and experiences. The spectrum of light used to create each image is limited to two carefully selected colours, further influencing the viewer's perception of the subject-matter. The use of bold colour, surreal lighting and vivid detail is consistent with Theo Deproost's wider practice.
about the photographer
Theo Deproost is a fine-art and commercial photographer, based in the UK. In recent years, his fine-art practice has focused on re-interpreting museum collections. Deproost is absorbed by the idea that the objects have been pulled from their natural time-line and denied their inevitable disintegration and reintegration with the earth. Instead, they have been preserved and stored, awaiting a new purpose. His images offer a window into the surreal, unexpected world that the objects have found themselves in - experiencing a strange and rambling immortality.Rather than communicating a rigid proposition or narrative, Deproost creates vivid colours, arresting detail and beguiling shapes to stimulate the memory and imagination of the viewer, encouraging a more exploratory perspective. Each image passes through a filter of the viewer’s thoughts and experiences, where unique connections and interpretations are formed.
back to gallery