Alex Boyd

Infobox Person
name = Alex Boyd


image_size =
caption =
birth_date = 1984
birth_place = Celle, Germany
education =
occupation = Photographer
nationality = British
website = http://www.alexboyd.co.uk/

Alex Boyd (born July 15, 1984 in Celle) is a German-Scottish photographer based in Irvine in the West Coast of Scotland.

Life and Work

His photographic interests are wide ranging, however conceptual and landscape photography can be considered his main concerns, as are evident from his most recent exhibition "Sonnets from Scotland" [ [http://www.thearches.co.uk/alexboydsongsfromscotland.htm] , The Arches - "Sonnets From Scotland". Retrieved on 11th September 2008.] . Boyd has stated in interview [Interview with Radio Sputnik,(July 19th 2007)] that he started working at a professional level after being shortlisted for a BBC award [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/apictureofbritain/gallery/shortlist/single/scotland_urban_7.shtml.htm] , The BBC- A Digital Picture of Britain. Retrieved on 11th September 2008.] in 2005.

The "Sonnets from Scotland" series has been highly commended by Harry Benson [Evening Times,The,(September 6th 2008). Article by Russell Leadbetter.] , Scotlands best known living photographer, and is based on the Rückenfigur (literally "back figure") paintings of German Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich [Scottish Photographers Magazine (Autumn 2008). "Alex Boyd: Sonnets from Scotland pg.22".] . The series attempts to explore issues of Scottish national identity and its depiction in Scottish art. The series also takes its name from a collection of poems by Scottish Makar (Poet Laureate) Edwin Morgan, from whom the series pays tribute [ [http://edwinmorgan.com/news_content.html#AlexBoyd] , Edwin Morgan Official Site - Alex Boyd & "Sonnets from Scotland". Retrieved on 26th September 2008.] .

On the 20th Of September 2008, Boyd had have several of his works projected 84 metres high onto Europe's largest building, the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7622813.stm] , The BBC- Art 'covers' Romanian Parliament. Retrieved on 26th September 2008.] , and covered the entire University Square as part of the "White Night in Bucharest" Festival [Irvine Times, The (August 17th 2008). "Display on Europe's largest building".] .

A specially curated exhibition of the "Sonnets from Scotland" series alongside work of one of Boyd's key influences Bill Brandt [Scottish Photographers Magazine (Autumn 2008). "Alex Boyd: Sonnets from Scotland pg.22".] is planned for March 2009 at the H.A.C in Scotland. [Irvine Times, The (August 17th 2008). "Display on Europe's largest building".]

Film

In 2007 Boyd directed and created the short film 'Die Hasenjagd', an 11 minute short film, comprised of the animation of several thousand photographs. The film does not offer a linear narrative, however is concerned with a criticism of nationalism and concerns the 1945 Hasenjagd massacre in Celle Germany. A soundtrack was provided by pianist Mike Garson and Billy Corgan of band Smashing Pumpkins [ [http://www.regenmag.com/News-3154-Smashing-Pumpkins.html] , Regenmag - "Smashing Pumpkins song features in new film". Retrieved on 11 September 2008.] . The film was shown at the Arthertz Festival at Fulham Palace Contemporary Art Gallery in London on the 7th July 2007. [ [http://www.arthertz.com/retrofuture/index.htm] Arthertz - Retrofuture artists. Retrieved on 11 September 2008.]

Exhibition History

Solo exhibitions
* 2008 ‘Sonnets from Scotland’, The Arches, Glasgow, Scotland
* 2008 ‘Sonnets from Scotland’, Offshore Gallery, Glasgow, Scotland
* 2007 ‘Die Hasenjagd (A Man Without A Country)’, Fulham Palace, London
* 2006 ‘Into Silence’, The 13th Note, Glasgow, Scotland
* 2006 ‘Into Silence’, Venue, Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland
* 2006 ‘Tide Reflects Sky’, John Edmonds Gallery, New Mexico, USA
* 2006 ‘Tide Reflects Sky’, Cunningham House, Ayrshire, Scotland

Group exhibitions

* 2008 Digital Fringe Festival - Melbourne, Australia
* 2008 W.A.A.P.N - Musée de l'Elysée, Lausanne, Switzerland
* 2008 W.A.A.P.N – Gallery 013, Tilburg, The Netherlands
* 2007 Retro Future, Fulham Palace, London
* 2007 North Ayrshire Open Art Exhibition, Kilwinning, Scotland
* 2007 Open Call Exhibition, Doon Valley Museum, Dalmellington, Scotland
* 2007 Open Call Exhibition, The Baird Institute, Cumnock, Scotland
* 2007 ‘Breakthrough’ San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery, San Francisco, USA

Footnotes and references

External links

* [http://www.alexboyd.co.uk Alex Boyd website]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7622813.stm BBC Article on Alex Boyd]
* [http://axisweb.org/seCVPG.aspx?ARTISTID=13493 Alex Boyd profile + bio on Axisweb]
* [http://www.myartspace.com/artistInfo.do?populatinglist=home&subscriberid=39m6z8p6w9qcibf1 Alex Boyd on myartspace]
* [http://www.metro.co.uk/metrolife/article.html?Photography:_Alex_Boyd&in_article_id=316522&in_page_id=248&in_a_source= Metro review of "Sonnets from Scotland" exhibition]
* [http://www.arthertz.com/retrofuture/index.htm Arthertz show at Fulham Palace]