JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY
Interview with Nick Veasey
Taking technology used in Radiography, Nick Veasey merges information with art in a new unprecedented way. The X-ray photography produced by the artist showcased everyday objects in unbelievable detail. The work is both a statement of a superficial society, and a documentation of objects humans identify with on a day to day basis.
"Firstly tell us a bit about you."
I was born 1962 and left school with 3 O-levels and went on to do umpteen dead end jobs.
"So how did you make the transition to where you are now?"
I made a career in advertising and design and became experimental photographer in pre digital days. Got sacked from design as I was crap at it and then got lucky break where I found x-ray.
"Your background is relatively commercial; can you tell us more about how creative x -ray photography became so intertwined into your work?"
It was a life-changing moment. I've been x-raying for 25 years. The first 10 years was mostly commercial and now I consider myself a fine artist. For the past decade I have been exhibiting all over the world but I would say my career highlight was at Fotografiska Stockholm where I held a 10 week retrospective which was visited by over 100,000 people!
"What a huge success that show was. Your X-ray photographs are more than simply seeing the inside of an object, what does this experimental imagery aim to communicate?"
Essentially my work is a statement against society’s obsession with superficiality. It’s what is on the inside that counts.
"What I love about your work is what it says about photography as a medium of factual information, your work is so literally truthful, but doesn't hold the same notion of time as traditional photography. It's a total different perspective of image making more to the standard of fine art. Why create x ray artwork, why not pure photography?"
X-Ray is a journey of discovery. It shows how things are designed and made, whether by man or nature. It is a different way of looking at the world. X-Ray is real, it has integrity. It show’s an object from the inside out.
"I love that. Is there anything in particular you reference when creating?"
Everyday life.
"Is your work political?"
I’ve done some political work but I can’t sell it. So not really at the moment.
"Brilliant. Thanks Nick."