National recognition for Chester University photography student

A final year BA Photography student at the University of Chester, has had his work selected to feature in Source magazine, a leading UK journal of contemporary photographic practice.

Each year, Source invites leading curators, publishers, and practitioners to select students’ work of their choice.

This year, curator and publisher Chris Boot, who was the UK lead for the world-famous Magnum Photography Agency and more recently Director of Aperture Foundation, selected Mick Roberts’ portfolio for the Source Graduate Photography online feature.

Mick’s selected work, entitled ‘The New Victorians’, features people in Victorian costume.

Speaking about his work, Mick said, “The invention of photography as we know it and the first permanent images date back to the late 1830s.

This, the Victorian era, was a period of rapid change, invention and development in Britain, but it was also a period of extreme social inequality.

[Mick Roberts]
For this project, my intention was to transport us back in time, to the beginning of photography and to photograph the people from that era, capturing the essence of the Victorian people’s identity and character.”

Expressing his delight at the recognition, Mick said, “It was a wonderful surprise, and I feel honoured that my photography portfolio was selected by Chris Boot, a former director of Magnum Photography, to be featured in Source magazine.”

Mick’s work also features alongside others studying on the BA Photography programme in this year’s final degree art show.

Dr Cian Quayle, Associate Professor and Programme Leader for the BA Photography, praised Mick’s work, saying, “Throughout his final year Mick has developed and expanded his practice via self-initiated and commissioned portrait photography projects.

This has brought Mick into contact with many different individuals and groups.

Mick’s interest in cinema, costume and reenactment led to his encounter with the ‘New Victorians’ who he photographed on location to produce a technically accomplished series of images which are both playful and enigmatic.”

To view Mick’s work visit here.