People - NOMINEE: Owen Harvey

Skinhead subculture has a long and complex history. The subculture drew influence from the earlier Mod style and originally had the music of Jamaican musicians in the 60's as it's soundtrack. Those involved in the subculture had a sense of working class pride and these attributes were often recognised in the white and black youth, who grew up across England. The skinhead style was often seen as an aggressive way of presenting yourself by the media, with short hair, rolled up jeans and footwear often referred to as "bovver boots". The distinct skinhead look went on to be adopted by neo-nazis and various other racist groups and many original skinheads felt it was time to abandon their style, due to association. Some true skinheads refused to give up their style though and this caused a divide within the subculture of those with different political stances. As an outsider of the subculture, I decided to photograph young men and woman within the current scene, in order to try and learn what it means to be a skinhead in the present day. This project has been shot over the last four years and is on going. It has been shot in Brighton, London, Margate and Blackpool.

About author:
My photographic practise looks at the notion of identity, more specifically through youth groupings and subculture. My personal projects have documented both the Mod and Skinhead scenes over the last five years in England and more recently the Lowriding scene in New York City. The work has been exhibited at The Photographers’ Gallery, Royal Albert Hall, Brighton Photo Fringe, National Portrait Gallery, as well as many other international Galleries. My personal work has also been published by British Journal of Photography, Dazed and Confused, i-D Magazine, Vogue Italia, and many other related publications.
Alongside frequently working on personal projects, I also work commercially for a range of clients, editorially for Time inc., Financial Times Magazine, Wall Street Journal, Huck Magazine and more. I also keep busy producing images for a range of international brands such as Sony Music, Fred Perry and Farah Menswear alongside others.

My BA (Hons) photographic education was completed at the University of Wales, Newport, in which I studied Documentary Photography. Since graduating I been included in the following awards:

- Royal Photographic Society U30 Gold Award. 2017.
- Taylor Wessing Portraiture Prize. 2017.
- Lensculture Portrait Award, Winner. 2017.
- Flash Forward, Magenta Foundation Award. 2017.
- British Journal of Photography, Send Anywhere Shortlist 2017.
- Felix Schoeller Award, Shortlist. 2017.
- PhotogrVphy Grant Nominee. 2016.
- Royal Photogrphic Society Touring Exhibition. 2015
- Flash Forward, Magenta Foundation Award. 2015.
- Gomma Book Award, Shortlist. 2014.
- Royal Photographic Society Touring Exhibition. 2014.
- Shots Young Photographer Of The Year Award. 2013.
- CREAM Graduate Showcase Award. 2013.
- Magnum Photos & IdeasTap Award, Shortlist. 2013.
- Magnum Photos Showcase Award (Chosen By Bruce Gilden). 2012.