This exhibition by young Leeds’ photographer Thomas Duffield at Village in Leeds proves to be like stepping up to the memory board in a detective agency – albeit a lot more subtle.
“I try to use photography to investigate the aspects of my family life that have been deliberately set aside,” he says in an interview with Sophie Wright at the British Journal of Photography.
It’s remarkable work. I’ve experienced the dramas of addiction in my own extended family – alcohol. Thomas’ family experience the impact of heroin addiction.
One deep blue photo depicts the fuzz and crackle and an extended high. Another is simply a hand reaching out – from water, or to feel fresh rain? Domestic scenes ask you to read what’s behind the eyes of Thomas’ family as they look out at you.
The act of hiding and of being obscured repeats. Of all of Thomas’ pictures this one had the strongest impact on me. Beautiful tones and light and the shine of the sharp glass and the nail.
Who is listening? and for what? An argument in the next room? Hidden talk? Searching for signs of life when you’re not ready to open the door?
Thomas Duffield’s interview with the British Journal of Photography is here.
Thomas’s website is here: http://thomasduffield.com.
You can see and feel ‘The Whole House is Shaking’ and buy Thomas’ accompanying photobook at Leeds’ Village Bookshop and Gallery in Thornton’s Arcade.