Reworking found imagery with Steve Thompson

Hi Steve, thank you for joining us. To start with, tell us a bit about yourself and what you do!

I’m an artist from the North of England though resident in the South for most of my adult life and Brighton for the last decade. I think I’m someone who has always tried to keep a healthy amount of creativity in my life regardless of the distractions and necessities of earning a living in other areas. The trajectory for many years was an increase in the focus on my art practice but then bringing up a family took over a lot of time and energy. Now I feel I’m in another phase where I can allow more art to creep back in!

Tell us about your practice. Found photography and layering seem to form a core aspect in your work. What draws you to it?

Initially the limitations of studio space and resources led me away from painting, drawing and sculpture to fall back upon smaller-scale and computer mediated work.

That said, with a background in graphic design, I’ve always loved the excitement and potential for digital image manipulation. Searching for photographic sources has proved an exciting and productive endeavour. I invariably choose images from the earlier part of the last century. They have their own embedded associations and with enough of a distance from our own cultural contexst to allow me a full licence to adapt them.

Walk us through your image making process. Does the work form itself or is it the product of careful planning and consideration?

With the found photographs, the particular images invariably generate an idea for imaginative transformation. Invariably, the transformation is surreal and unexpected but in another sense, the potential is already there in the image whether it be a strangeness, a melancholy or a particular group dynamic.

As I usually work with group photos, the detailed image manipulation in photo-editing software can be time-consuming but the creativity and surprise in the process and results keep me engaged and interested. Scanning, manipulating, layering and retouching are all parts of the process.

Sea-changed. 2013. C-type print, ink. 30 x 24 cm

🔥 Quickfire round 1: Studio Space Everyone’s studio space is a bit different. Different mediums, needs, processes etc…

What are the three key elements that contribute to making your own studio space comfortable, practical and inspiring?

1. Ample resources of music, books and the internet to feed my imagination.

2.Space for uninterrupted private work is essential. Occasional interactions with other creatives has also been a big plus over the years.

3.A location in central Brighton has been a godsend. Just feeling such vibrant, interesting and exciting city round about is a major inspiration.

The Recruits. 2013. C-type print. 50 x 39 cm

Can you introduce us to the body of work you are currently exhibiting with us?

This ongoing strand of my practice is concerned with the appropriation of old photographs sourced from the junk and antique shops of Brighton. In my digital transformations of the images I have sought to, variously, develop surreal or imaginative associations and also make some investigation into issues of conformity, individuality and identity.

🔥 Quickfire round 2: Brighton hosts a cornucopia of intriguing objects, mysterious trinkets and puzzling antique shops. Any recommended places where one can source/discover exciting finds?

1. Snooper’s Paradise. It’s crowded, popular, touristy and rather expensive but the size and range of the shops/stalls means that revisiting is always worthwhile.

2.North Laine Bazaar is just a short walk away but a little less known and also with an extensive and fascinating selection of curios, junk and antiques.

3. Open Market. I live close by to this and it offers an invigorating selection of old books, films and toys.

Glyphs. C-type print. 2012. 50 x 35 cm

Anything else you want to talk about/promote/any ongoing personal projects? 

I’ve recently helped initiate a monthly art crit/chat with former fellow art student friends. The interaction has been invaluable–helping clarify my own best ideas and projects and also learning and getting inspiration from those of others. I can’t recommend this enough.