Projects

A vast disparity of wealth exists the world over. City neighbourhoods rub up against one another where poverty meets privilege. Greenwood Mississippi is a microcosm of that – where the Yalobusha River separates the mansions of the North lining Grand Avenue with modest homes in the South. Signs displaying the Yard of the Month outside the wealthy homes convey a comfortability at odds with their neighbours just across the river.

The State flower of both Louisiana and Mississippi. Even the word evokes Southerness. Photographed in the Mississippi Delta and Louisiana, with a little bit of Tennessee for good measure.

The State flower of both Louisiana and Mississippi. Even the word evokes Southerness. Photographed in the Mississippi Delta and Louisiana, with a little bit of Tennessee for good measure.

Two thousand miles of common border separates the USA from Mexico, running between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, traversing four US and six Mexican states. More than just a boundary, the line represents a division between first and third world, slicing the landscape abruptly in towns and cities, and anonymously and silently in the vast empty deserts.

The crossing of this line carries the hopes of some half a million migrants, who make the journey every year heading north looking for the American dream.

This collection of photographs document the line in many of its forms, from the urban fortresses to the rurally benign. Much has already been documented of the human plight in relation to this land. My interest lay in the division of two distinct societies bisected by something as simple in parts as only a line on a map.

Work on this project began in 2001 and some 25,000 road miles later the border and this project continue to evolve.

These photographs represent a selection of the work.

Whilst documenting the landscape of the USA Mexico border for some years (see La Linea) it became a frequent occurrence to come into contact with migrants on their journey north of the border. For many this journey ends with apprehension by the US authorities and deportation back to Mexico and beyond. Often exhausted, without money or possessions, these migrants are processed and transported to an official crossing and escorted to the other side. A few are offered modest help in the form of clothing and food by humanitarian charities. Photographed in Northern Mexico.

Where the Boys Are (1960) was one of the first teen films to explore adolescent sexuality and the changing sexual morals and attitudes among American college youth. Aimed at the teen market, it inspired many American college students to head to Fort Lauderdale for their annual spring break. Over the years spring break grew into a huge industry covering many locations.

These photographs are in South padre Island, Texas on a cold and windy week.

There are now over 35000 Dollar branded stores in the US run by three major chains. They are often the only store in small towns having taken the place of the small independent retailers who used to exist. No longer the Mom and Pop store.
They continue to grow at a fast rate

I’ve long held a fascination with US elections and those at a great distance from Washington.
Mina, Nevada- a town of 127 people is a long way from anywhere. One week before the election 2020.