Graham smith photographer biography

In the largest ever takeover of Somerset House, Photo London landed this week with over 70 galleries exhibiting work from all over the world. There is imagery crammed all over the walls in every corner of the venue which makes a refreshing change from the standard grids usually displaying work in galleries.

Chris killip and graham smith 20/20

Street photography particularly stood out with lots of stunning black and white imagery from Diane Arbus, Chris Killip and from the brilliant Alexy Titarenko. But the absolute best thing for me was discovering the work of Graham Smith, a photographer who stopped shooting in and has pretty much shunned the spotlight ever since.

He started his career as a photographer studying at Middlesbrough College of Art and later at the Royal College of Art having firstly left home for four years. Smith spent most of his photographic career documenting the north east of England, particularly Middlesbrough, some of the images of which are thankfully showcased by The Eric Franck Gallery at Photo London.

Smith's images capture the community in which he grew up and lived. Friends and relatives are seen in the pubs and streets they frequented, in the south of the city. I started photographing Middlesbrough and, with a life time support from my wife Joyce, was guided well away from what otherwise may have been a wasted future. He was central to The Side Gallery which opened in with a philosophy to document working class culture, his culture.

Having shunned the spotlight for many years it would seem he is finally starting to re-emerge and this historical and significant work can thankfully be seen again. Mess Room for No.