Political Pictures Of Our Cultural Life
June 8th, 2007
"It's fascinating to look at the influence of American culture on British society". British Artist Steve Schofield, said while showing me pictures of cowboys drinking tea and Indians doing laundry in green kitchens from his portfolio.
Within his series of images entitled "Land of the Free", Schofield attempts to show people in their own homes and environments, dressed up in costumes they wear for special events. Teenage GI's, Elvis' fans and all kinds of "Wonder Women" are the subjects of his camera lense, looking like lonely heroes lost in conventional décor.
But Schofield promotes a humouristic angle in his work: "I don't' like heavy things", he said. Instead he prefers showing some distance, enjoying the idea of people smiling when looking at a picture.
Behind the masquearde of the cowboys and Indians pictured, Schofield aims to address American influence in the UK and other countries. The artist is keen to highlight the public's facination with American culture while at the same time criticising passivity towards Bush's foreign policy.
He describes his work as a way to make people think about the deep implications of absorbing American culture.
He said he is not 'anti-American' but added "It would be nice if my pictures were sparking some debates".
Schofield's "Land of the Free" just had a two month solo exhibition at the Midlands Art Centre Birmingham. His work has featured in several exhibitions, and he was short-listed for the Ian Parry Documentary Photography Award.
A runner-up in the Ilford student print award, Schofield has been working for more than a decade as a commercial photographer before going back to study photography at the University of Derby.
"It was less a q
uestion of improving my technical skills than to become more creative," he says.
Schofield's work will be exhibited during the Free Range festival taking place at The Old Truman Gallery in London's East End from the 5 - 9 July.
He is planning some exhibitions until 2009, including a commissioned project about capturing social integration in Birmingham.
Schofield will continue to look for problematic aspects of British culture. Even risking to make it political - a forgotten art.
www.steveschofield.com
www.free-range.org.uk
