Jo Longhurst

I have just got back from a talk by Jo Longhurst who is an artist who works with photography, This was a completely different talk compared to the other photographers who I have seen since arriving at the arts institute. Jo has just recently graduated with a PHD from the Royal College of Art where she did a long term project in conjunction with the best whippet breeders of the UK. Interested in perfection and human nature.

Twelve Dogs, Twelve Bitches

This study has stemmed from Francis Galton (Charles Darwin's half cousin) and his interest into perfecting the human race, which has been greatly dismissed now in humans due to Nazi Germany, but still caries on in the animal world. 

Jo also talked about her current long term project looking at elite gymnasts. Again interested in perfection as well as human drive and the process of training. It was enlightening to see a more art based photographer to see the way in which they work compared to a commercial photographer, Jo talked a lot about how she displayed each of the pieces and why she did it in that way.