Sam Brooks
Photographer, Artist and Educator
Concerned with the space between description and interpretation, Sam Brooks has investigated sites of interest from a personal perspective, working with neighbours to stage 'realities', making journeys where objects encountered become potential clues to an imagined narrative and more recently manipulating negatives to disrupt the conventions of still life. Stemming from ideas rooted in his early fine art practice Sam explores notions of representation, questioning the picture plane and 'flatness' in art.
Originally studying fine art in Liverpool, Sam went on to work in film, album cover design with Storm Thorgerson and reportage photography. After a first exhibition of photography in Parking Space Gallery in Liverpool he has gone on to exhibit in a number of UK galleries including Ffotogallery in Wales and Centrespace Gallery in Bristol. An MFA in Documentary Photography at University of South Wales has informed work that explores our complex relationship with environment through street photography and projects such as Tideline and Rhyne that are concerned with the impact we have on the land.
Alongside personal practice, Sam has taught in FE and HE and is currently Course Coordinator for BA Hons. Photography and Visual Cultures at UCW. He has been External Examiner for University of South Wales and has recently gained the Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.