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Selection of minted pieces
Bio
Robin Friend (b. 1983) is a British-Australian photographer. In 2018 he published his 15-year project Bastard Countryside with Loose Joints to wide acclaim. In the same year, he collaborated with Wayne McGregor to create and direct Winged Bull in the Elephant Case for BBC Live. In 2021 he published his second monograph, Apiary, a shadow space, reflecting a contemporary moment where ideas of democracy, identity, and cohesion feel stretched to breaking point.
Awards, Publications & Exhibitions
Exhibitions
- Sète: Bastard Countryside, 2022
- OpenWalls Arles, 2020
- The Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy or Arts, London, 2019
- RPS International Photography Exhibition 161, Bristol, 2019
- Ravilious & Co: The Pattern of Friendship, Compton Verney, 2018
- Manod: The Nation’s Treasure Caves, National Gallery, London, 2018
- Ravilious & Co: The Pattern of Friendship, Towner Gallery, 2017
- Syngenta Award, Somerset House, London, 2017
- The Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy or Arts, London, 2016
- The Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy or Arts, London, 2015
- Demimonde, Amberwood House, London, 2015
- London’s Burning, ICA, London, 2015
- Art Studio America, Christies, New York, 2014
- Towner Gallery, Ravilious Room, 2014
- Rosphoto, Museum of Fine Arts in Yekaterinburg, Russia, 2014
- Rosphoto, Saint Petersburg, 2013
- With Sorrow Snare, solo show, Zero10, London, 2013
- Taylor Wessing, National Portrait Gallery, London, 2012
- The Jose Show, Accolds Farm, West Sussex, 2012
- Immortal Nature, Edel Assanti, London, 2012
- Ghosts & Nightmares, Historial de la Grande Guerre, Péronne, 2011
- Ghosts & Nightmares, The Art Center of Beauvais, Picardy, 2011
- reGeneration, Aperture Gallery, New York, 2011
- Spirit Level, Go Modern, London, 2011
- Anticipation, Selfridges, London, 2010
- Familiar Visions, Towner, Eastbourne, 2010
- reGeneration, Musee de l'Elysee, Lausanne, 2010
- reGeneration, Rencontres d'Arles, Arles, 2010
- reGeneration, Michaelis School of Fine Art, Cape Town, 2010
- Teaching Photography, Museum Folkwang, Essen, 2010
- MurmarArt, 26 Hoxton Street, London, 2010
- Shadow of a Doubt, Galerie Michel Journiac, Paris, 2009
- A New Romance, Ada Street Gallery, London, 2009
- Of the Land, Vulpes Vulpes, London, 2009
- Summer Show, Hoopers Gallery, London, 2009
- ARSEP, Christies, Paris, 2009
- Centrefold, The Gallery, London, 2009
- We can understand the meaning better without, Crypt Gallery, London, 2009
- Works, Imperial Works, London, 2008
Awards
- EPF Finalist, 2019
- RPS Environmental Awareness Bursary, 2018
- Syngenta Award, Open winner, 2017
- Prix-Pictet Award, nominated, 2013
- reGeneration 2010/11, 2010
- Photographers Gallery Award, 2009
- Merlin Entertainment/Tussaud’s Award for Fine Art, 2009
- Hoopers Gallery Award, shortlisted, 2009
- Chicago Arts Institute, Research Residency, America, 2008
Publications
- Bastard Countryside, published by Loose Joints, 2018
- Apiary, published by Loose Joints, 2021
Collection Details
BASTARD COUNTRYSIDE | View on Foundation
Bastard Countryside is the struggle between humanity and nature, two contrasting forces fighting for control. But there’s also a part that resides someplace else; in a fictive realm that gestures towards some unknown, a less certain landscape. With a feeling of things left behind and what is still to come, these photographs tap into our cultural anxiety of what the future holds.
When I first began working on this project the world was a different place. It was 2003 and I was just beginning to hone my skills as a picture maker. A lot has since changed. I now have a young family and can’t help but wonder what kind of world we are leaving behind for the generations to come. Although the series has been made in the UK, the subjects and themes are global and invite the viewer to reflect on the actions that have shaped and shifted the spaces they interact with.
This piece is part of the Bastard Countryside: a series of 50 photographs, shot on 5x4 large format film, made over 15 years.
APIARY | View on Foundation
Apiary delves deep into the underbelly of Lewes, a small town in southern England renowned for its frenzied Guy Fawkes Night celebrations. For many, the night is an expression of anti-establishment values. But looking at this collection it’s not entirely clear whose side we are on. Are we celebrating a failed act of political terrorism that happened over four-hundred years ago or witnessing contemporary ideas of democracy, identity and cohesion stretched to breaking point?
“We have it in our power to begin the world over again” - Thomas Paine, 1737-1809.
Photography Genre
ETH address
Extra details
Location
Lewes, East Sussex, England, United Kingdom
Andy Schwetz
February 13, 2022 at 12:07 amRobin’s work is outstanding and multi-layered.
His collection “Bastard Countryside” is for me one of the top 5 photography projects and with AIPARY he has proven how multi-layered his work is without losing quality.
Besides his work, he is also an important and dedicated member of the community.