Conceptual - NOMINEE: Peter Spurgeon

This series relates to a secret British Air Ministry project that took place during the Second World War. Sound City film studios in Shepperton were commissioned to design fake cities, airfields, docks and oil refineries. The objective of this simulation was to divert enemy bombs away from the real targets. The decoys were set up a few miles away from the true locations and constructed using fires and electric lights. Today, only control bunkers remain at many of the sites as crumbling reminders of this forgotten endeavour. They sheltered the crew and housed generators for the lights. This simulation diverted 5% of enemy bombs away from their intended destinations.

The project is informed by archive sources and my images are made at former decoy locations. I am intrigued by simple ingenuity of the decoy designs and wish to record the disappearing structures and empty sites. I introduce theatrical lighting to animate the landscape and to evoke visual deception in war.

About author:
Peter Spurgeon is a British photographer, living and working in Bristol,

His photographs reveal human stories in the landscape. The projects are informed by research using sources such as digital maps, official archives, online forums and heritage databases.

Tel: +44 7968 210533
info@peterspurgeon.photo
www.peterspurgeon.photo


Education

2016 MA Documentary Photography (Distinction) University of South Wales (Newport)

Exhibitions

2018 One Year Revolv, Safehouse 1, London
2018 Absences, Millepiani, Rome
2017 PHOTOMASTERS MA Exhibition, The Old Truman Brewery, London
2017 Photography on a Postcard, theprintspace, London
2017 Encontros da Imagem, Discovery Award collective projection, Braga
2017 Reclaim Photography Festival, Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton
2017 ESPY Photography Award, elysium gallery, Swansea
2017 Photo Scratch, Hotel Elephant, London
2017 Reclaim Photography Festival, Dudley
2016 LIP Annual Exhibition, Espacio Gallery, London
2016 USW MA Documentary Photography, West Wharf Gallery, Cardiff

Awards

2018 Zealous Emerge Photography Prize, shortlisted
2017 PhotogrVphy Grant (Conceptual), nominated
2017 ESPY Photography Award, specially commended
2017 Remote Photo Festival series competition, shortlisted
2016 Source MA Graduate Photography Online, selected

Publications

2017 Shoot Film UK Issue 4: Open Theme
2017 Photography on a Postcard box sets
2017 Encontros da Imagem Discovery Award catalogue
2017 London Independent Photography magazine
2016 Source Magazine MA Graduate Photography Online