Barcelona 2005
Photographic artist Jo Howell delves into the archive of her work
The image was an experimental combination of line drawings I made on acetate and 35mm film negatives of Sunderland.
The line drawing shows la Segrada familia in Barcelona. The Angel figure is an artwork by Ron Mueck that I had seen in the Saatchi gallery in London.
In 2005 I was 20 years old and starting my University years.
There’s no real concept other than to vaguely draw comparison between the two very different cities. I was exploring line drawings on acetate as a means for plotting out large paintings. The drawings had a quality of their own and I wanted to see how I could bring them into the darkroom. I’m always looking for crossroads between photography and art. Nothing has changed 🤣
This is also the time when I began to zoom in on different compositions within the original image. I do this all the time now almost as a compulsion. How many artworks exist in the original? How many motifs were borrowed from other artists? Why Ron Mueck? Why Gaudi?
I honestly don’t have an actual number for you but you can see my point about wheels within wheels. Repetition and reflection.
It’s playful and it’s a way I still work today. I like the rough and ready nature of my early explorations with photography and art. It’s raw and ad hoc. Anything goes. Just make something then look at it.
Even if the starting point seems silly don’t worry about it. Make it anyway and see where it leads you. The end result might only barely reference the starting point but that’s ok. 90% of art should also be play.
I decided to go through the archives because I am currently uploading the whole digital back catalogue on to my google drive. I have uploaded up to 2009 and 2010 will take 4 hours to upload.
So the sun is shining, my computer is working hard on my behalf, I’ve had all my morning meds and my stomach is eating itself! I am going for lunch.
Let me know what you think. Would you like to see more from the archive?