Stills from Life: Syd Shelton

(Hardback)

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Description

Stills from Life opens with Syd Sheltons dream of hope that the struggle and the fight for racial and class justice will prevail and it is the driving force dominating the last fifty years of his subjective photographic practice. From that time, he has never been anywhere without his camera bag in pursuit of what he calls the graphic argument.

Reviews

'Syds photographs in Stills from Life are compassionate, rebellious, instinctive, courageous, and often humorous. From his first forays with a camera in Sydney in the early 1970s photographing Aboriginal and working-class communities in Redfern, to his work documenting the Rock Against Racism movement towards the end of that decade, right through to the culture & community commission he did for FotoDocument in Brighton & Hove ten years ago, Syds lens demands that the people and issues he champions are seen and heard. He captures intriguing moments from life against unapologetic backdrops in his characteristically raw documentary style. His portraits are honest, engaging, beautifully crafted and his subjects trusting of his intentions. His use of light, geometry and composition create engaging viewing but its the beauty he sees in ordinary interactions that creates the real intrigue. Slogans, graffiti, and posters permeate Syds work, and serve to powerfully deliver the messaging and context which convey how he sees the world. There are so many stand out shots in this work - Im proud to say I have three of them on my wall - but having now seen this book, I know I will be growing my collection. Thanks, Syd, for all you do for the good of humanity youre an increasingly rare breed of photographer.'

- Nina Emett, Artistic Director at FotoDocument,

The most significant Photographer of a generation.

-Professor Stephen Farthing RA

Author Bio

Having studied fine art in Yorkshire Syd Shelton began his photographic practice in Australia in the early 1970s. In 1976, he returned to London and he established the design and photography partnership Red Wedge Graphics which evolved into the current agency Graphicsi. Syd became one of the key activists in the movement Rock Against Racism. His work has been widely published and exhibited and is in numerous permanent collections including the V&A, The Tate Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery, the Istrian Museum of Modern Art, Atlas Gallery and Autograph ABP.