Devon vicar invited to show ‘The Business of Death’

Nick Shutt, priest and photographer from Dartmoor, Devon, has been selected to take part in the world class Photo España Festival in Madrid in June.

Nick, the BA Honours Photography student at Plymouth College of Art produced a portfolio of work about the industries associated with death, The Business of Death: A Body of Work.

It includes images of undertakers, coffin makers, stone masons, crematoria and the church who all feature in the work.

Some of this work was first exhibited at Duchy Square Centre for Creativity in Princetown, Dartmoor last year.

He said: “Photography has always been a medium for capturing the decisive moment – and there is none more decisive than death itself.

“It may not sound a very cheerful subject for a portfolio of images, but those involved in the business of death are remarkably cheerful and professional and it has been very instructive seeing everyone going about their business.”

He added: “It is an immense honour to be selected from the thousands who put their work forward and I am looking forward to my discussions with experts in Spain. For me it is a once in a lifetime opportunity that is not to be missed.”

Dave Kinney, Programme Leader for Photography at Plymouth College of Art said: “We encouraged Nick to submit this excellent body of work and are delighted by his success in being selected.

“It means his work will be looked at by photographers, museum curators, commissioning editors and gallery owners from all around the world including places such as Brazil, Japan, USA, as well as Europe.”

Photo España is a large photography festival and one of the premier photographic events in the world. Nick is one of only 70 photographers whose work has been included in the portfolio review as part of the Festival.

For more information about studying photography at Plymouth College of Art visit www.plymouthart.ac.uk.

Nick’s Photo España portfolio can be viewed online at www.phedigital.com/festival

ENDS

For interviews and more information contact Naomi Lang, PR and Communications Officer for Plymouth College of Art on 01752 203427 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              01752 203427      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or email nlang@plymouthart.ac.uk.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Nick Shutt is a truly multi-talented person. A church of England vicar caring for five parishes, he worked as a solicitor for over 25 years after graduating at the University of London. He always had a passion for photography and more recently completed a degree in Photography at Plymouth College of Art. www.nickshutt.co.uk.

Plymouth College of Art’s origins date back to 1856 and it is one of a handful of art colleges in the UK. It offers a distinctive variety of programmes in art, design, crafts and media from part-time and short courses through to Foundation Degrees and BA (Hons) Degrees, and Postgraduate degrees, Creative Professional Development and Business courses serving the needs of the creative industries sector. Currently some 2,500 students are enrolled at the College.

Continuing investment in the College’s estate and technical resources, coupled with highly qualified staff, ensures that all students have access to a high quality practice-based experience, enabling them to achieve their full potential. The College is recognised for its effective partnership and collaboration, for example in widening participation into learning and exceptional quality employer engagement, while also being a member of the National Arts Learning Network. www.plymouthart.ac.uk.

For more information visit http://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/