Johnnie Shand Kydd, the photographer famous for documenting the Young British Artists (YBAs) in the 1990s, has found new inspiration in his lurchers Finn and Zelda. His latest project, Ramsholt, captures the stark beauty of rural Suffolk during his dog walks. The images, which Tracey Emin described as being about death, explore themes of nature, decay, and renewal.
A Shift in Focus
Shand Kydd's earlier work, published in the 1997 book Spit Fire, featured candid black-and-white shots of artists like Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, and Sarah Lucas partying and creating. He gained their trust by understanding their egos and insecurities, often joining their legendary benders. Now 66, he remains in touch with many, including Emin, who curated his current exhibition in Margate.
The Ramsholt Project
The new photobook, named after the Suffolk village where his mother has lived since the 1960s, features landscapes, trees, and mist-covered fields. Shand Kydd often walked without a camera, returning later to capture scenes that caught his eye. The images, he says, are deeply personal, touching on family tragedies and the history of the area, including a 1945 B-17 crash.
Shand Kydd's approach contrasts with typical photography; he values spontaneity but found large-format cameras too heavy for dog walks. His self-deprecating humor extends to anecdotes, like missing a shot of Madonna and accidentally photographing Donald Trump before his presidency.
Despite the darker themes, Shand Kydd finds optimism in nature's cycles. He credits his dogs with keeping him grounded, noting that animals sense when you're not present. The book Ramsholt is published on 7 May by CHEERIO Publishing.
