Artist research - Tessa Bunney

Tessa Bunney has been a photographer now for over 25 years and specialises in landscapes. She's fascinated with different landscapes and the way that they have been shaped by human activity, this is shown in the project I looked at called 'Moor and Dale' and the rest of her work too. It draws attention to observing the details which we would usually let slip unnoticed, her aim is to contribute to an ongoing debate about changing nature to rural life.

Although her project isn't related to allotments, its still about the rural life and the relationship between people and the landscapes around them which I thought could help benefit my project and give me some more research.

The project 'Moor and dale was commissioned by Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Beauty, in the Yorkshire dales to photograph the landscapes and the people that lived and worked in the area. She worked closely with hill farmers and game keepers to produce a project that explored the relationship between the people, the landscapes and the rural life of the area. The work was exhibited at Mercer Art Gallery and Harrogate and Hereford Photo festival in 2004.

Below are just a few images from the project that I thought could influence my work:


The reason the above image I thought would related to my work, is the digging and the dedication and motivation to go out and do it. These farmers on the dales and steep hills, but still going out and maintain their land. The same as an plot holder at the allotment, out in all weathers to tend to their plot.


The above image is of a Flanker standing on the moor waiting during a grouse shoot in the upper Nidderdale, North Yorkshire, UK. A Flanker's job is to drive the grouse using a flag back towards the 'guns who are waiting in the shooting butts.
(http://www.tessabunney.co.uk/project/moor-and-dale/uk-rural-life-a-flanker-at-a-shoot-in-nidderdale-3/)
The portrait I really liked and thought him dressed in his attire and wellies ready to run around the moor and get dirty, I thought related to my work with the clothes they were and get muddy digging and moving etc. I also loved the amazing background in the image and the sky.



This image I thought really could relate to my work a lot and give me lots of inspiration to get close ups of things they use on the allotments, like string and beer cans etc. I really liked the depth of field in this image too. The grubbiness of the coat adding to the effect of the series.

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