Woman from above in circle spiral of soil from the Fine Art Photography series by Three Collaborate

Fine Art Photography – Three Collaborate

September 5, 2024 2:45 pm Published by Colin

The Intersection of Sculpture, Performance Art, and Photography

Three Collaborate is an ongoing fine art photography project that brings together the creative talents of sculptor Anna Gillespie, performance artist Niki Jewett, and myself, Colin Hawkins, a professional photographer based in Bath. This collaborative project spanned over three years, starting as an experiment in my studio, where we explored how our diverse artistic disciplines could intersect and complement one another.

Capturing the Essence of “Play” with Natural Materials

The initial idea was simple: to see if we could work together, blending photography, sculpture, and performance art into a unified artistic vision. As the project progressed, it naturally evolved into something much more expansive. We ventured beyond the confines of the studio, shooting in various outdoor locations around Bath and Somerset. These settings provided an ideal backdrop for our exploration of the theme of “play,” where we utilised natural materials such as wood, leaves, and clay to create organic, spontaneous, and imaginative compositions.

The Role of Photography in Documenting Creative Collaborations

While Three Collaborate remains an unfinished work in progress, my role as the photographer was to document each stage of our artistic journey. I kept the lighting very simple so that it would allow Niki to do whatever , often using flash to freeze action or using daylight & allowing action blur to occur to give the sense of movement. The photographs included in this blog represent just a small selection of the images I captured during the project, highlighting the blend of sculpture, movement, and nature that defined our exploration.

Ongoing Artistic Exploration: The Three Collaborate Project

The project has been a deeply rewarding experience, offering me new insights into the possibilities of fine art photography and collaboration. It pushed the boundaries of traditional photography and opened up new avenues for creative expression. I am always keen on engaging in such experimental projects, as they provide the space to innovate and explore new artistic techniques, whether in the studio or out in the scenic landscapes of Bath and Somerset.

The photographs not only document the artistic process but also stand as art pieces in their own right. As we continue to work together, I look forward to seeing how Three Collaborate will evolve and what new ideas will emerge from this unique partnership.

This project has also been a testament to how art can thrive through collaboration, as each artist brings their own perspective and creativity to the table, ultimately creating something much larger and more meaningful than any of us could have achieved alone.