"A moving look at the ties that bind."-- Publisher's Weekly
An intimate look at the complexities of family life told through evocative photography and authentic interviews.
Families are a mystery. Is everyone's as complicated as ours? Is there such a thing as a "normal" one? We generally only get to see the polished exteriors and are left to imagine what might be going on behind closed doors. Here is a book that takes us on a tour around the reality of families. It provides a rare, privileged glimpse into private realms, allowing us a new, profound understanding of ourselves and others.
Comprised of 60 interviews and portraits captured by five supremely talented photographers - Mark Hobbs, Kate Peters, Marjolaine Ryley, Michelle Sank and Naomi Williams - the book introduces us to an extraordinary array of participants: new parents, stepchildren, siblings, the wealthy and the marginalized, the old and the young.
In this book, photographs intertwine with the the subject's story, reminding us of Humans of New York - a photographic project by Brandon Stanton which portraits daily glimpses into the lives of strangers on the streets of New York City.
What surfaces is the astounding diversity of family life - and the number of commonalities too. Above all, we recognize the fundamental role that family plays in making us who we are.This is a book for anyone who has ever wondered about their family or fantasized about being part of someone else's - in short, this is a book for us all.
Hobbs, Mark: -
Mark Hobbs is a documentary and portrait photographer. He represents people's stories and experiences through portraiture, presenting something the viewer can relate to, learn from or disagree with.
www.markhobbsphotography.com
Peters, Kate: - Kate Peters is an
Award-winning photographer whose work is exhibited in The National Portrait
Gallery and the HPGRP Gallery New York. Her portrait of Julian Assange featured on the cover of TIME magazine. Rooted in psychological
perspective, her photographic work explores issues around authenticity,
community and belonging.
www.katepeters.co.uk
Ryley, Marjolaine: - "Marjolaine Ryley is a
photographer who has exhibited and published her work nationally and internationally. Her
work is held in several major collections including The Victoria and Albert
Museum, London and the Serralves Museum, Porto. Much of her work has explored
family photography including her book Villa Mona - A Proper Kind of House
(Trace Editions 2006) and Growing up in the New Age (Daylight Books
2013).
www.marjolaineryley.co.uk"
Shank, Michelle: - Michelle Shank was
born in Cape Town, South Africa. Her photographs have been exhibited and
published nationally and internationally including The Museum of Fine Arts,
Houston and The Royal Albert Memorial Museum, London. Her work is held in both
private and permanent collections and she was a recent prize winner in the
prestigious Photographic Portrait competition at The National Portrait Gallery,
London. Her books include her monograph Becoming (2006), The
Water's Edge (2007) and The Submerged (2011).
www.michellesank.com
Williams, Naomi: - Naomi Williams is
a Bristol-based photographer, specialising in documentary and portrait
photography who has been extensively exhibited and published. Naomi has an
interest in familial relationships and their innate complexity. She has
explored her own family life and history within her work, including a series
observing her Grandad in his home.
www.naomi-williams.co.uk
