Simon Roberts – We English – Book – Andrews Masters Journey

In terms of a visual object ‘We English’ is a beautiful but simply laid out object. The images sit beautifully in space on their own often without a facing image. Where facing images occur they are linked to each other. The plate numbers and descriptions are discrete and simple and refer to the full commentary given towards the rear of the book.

The forward explores the origins of landscape painting as well as photography and has given me lots of points and imagery for consideration. The essence of English landscape art, and in turn landscape photography, comes from the emergence of the tourist industry in this country in the 18th Century. These depictions of vistas serve as adverts for our scenery and viewpoints.

Of great interest in this process has been the commentary by Roberts himself found towards the rear of the book. It is here where Roberts has given rational around particular images and, where connections are to be made, they have been made to visual influences and afterthoughts around those photographs. Of particular interest was the relation Roberts made towards the first image in the book and the works of three particular Dutch and Flemish artists from the 16th Century with their depictions of the use of the land. A small gallery of these is shown below.

Skegness Beach, Lincolnshire, 12th August 2007

In the commentary Roberts makes reference to notable British photographers who have captured the social, political and cultural landscape of England and Britain. These too are shown below.

The work of Martin Parr has been known to me for many years and his documentary photography work is commendable. The work of Tony Ray Jones and John Davies is less well known to me however I am particularly interested to explore the work of Davies in more detail as it is of most interest to me and my projects development. Roberts also makes reference to How we are: Photographing Britain an initiative by The Tate. This will have a focus of its own to follow. Below is a selection of spreads from the book We English as they appear in the digital version.