Tom Wood, who was born in Ireland, has lived for a long time in Liverpool where he « photographed life ». He photographs people : foreigners, friends, family; those people of all ages captured individually, in pairs or in small groups, whether posing or not. His work is very influenced by family photos. Although many of his photos are taken with a Leica 35 mm, he also uses medium and large size prints as well as panoramic views, either in colour or in black and white. Although he adopts a non-intrusive and respectful approach, his photographs remain intimate.
Tom Wood’s photos are directly drawn from the world which surrounds him. He is particularly fascinated by the way the camera transforms reality into fixed images and how these function as photographic objects. Conscious of the dangers that habits present, and that photography would not bear routine and repetitiveness, he has always been open to change, to everything that can break the tedium of the photographer’s life.
According to Tom Wood, « Photography is a killer medium capable of snuffing out life » but, paradoxically, it is through this medium that he chooses to celebrate it !
Born in Ireland in 1951, Tom Wood spent more than thirty years criss-crossing the streets of Liverpool, his adoptive city. He trained at Leicester Polytechnic College of Art, and first worked as a conceptual painter, before becoming interested in experimental cinema. As a photographer, he contributed to the development of social photography in England in the wake of the punk revolt and of the Thatcher years. One of the most famous works, All zone of peak, is the result of his bus journeys across the city over 18 years. Ever since his exhibition at the International Center of Photography in New York in 1996, his work continues to be exhibited all over the world.
EXHIBITION
Men and women
Until June 3rd 2012
Salle Tarbouriech – Théâtre de la Mer Jean Vilar
Route de la Corniche 34200 Sète
France
