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exhibitions: past
Ultima Thule
Stephen Vaughan
13th Feb - 13th Apr 2008
Stephen Vaughan’s stunning large-scale landscape photographs explore the connections between geology, archaeology and history.
Watch Stephen Vaughan talk about his work in the exhibition Ultima Thule.
The exhibition takes its title from Ultima Thule, a term used in ancient history to describe the mysterious northern frontier, representing a distant unknown region at the extreme limit of exploration and discovery. Vaughan’s work is inspired by the actual voyage made 2300 years ago by the Greek explorer Pytheas, who travelled to the edge of the then known world beyond Britain, towards Iceland and the Arctic Circle.
Over the last four years Vaughan has revisited the Icelandic landscape, to sites that are the nearest equivalent on Earth to the surfaces of the Moon and Mars, and which were used for training lunar astronauts. His work links Pytheas’ ancient voyage of discovery to the present day and the persistent human urge to explore unknown territory.
Using a cumbersome large-format Gandolfi camera, Vaughan made richly detailed, monumental studies of this otherworldly region. These awe-inspiring images reveal landscapes marked by volcanic activity, shifting tectonic plates, vast glaciers and steaming, sulphurous pools.
Vaughan says, "My photographs depict some of the rawest and youngest surfaces on Earth, allowing the viewer to imagine the prehistoric beginnings of the landscape, void of any human presence or history."
Ultima Thule was part funded by The National Lottery through Arts Council England and The University of Plymouth.
Exhibition on tour
The Gallery, Arts University College Bournemouth
19 October to 27 November 2009
Dick Institute Art Gallery, Kilmarnock 8 May to 28 August 2010
- Events (9)
Untitled from Ultima Thule 2004-2007
Stephen Vaughan
Click on thumbnail below to enlarge
Comments
Good to see Stephen’s new work at the opening. I was particularly impressed by the superb printing and the space given to each image.
I was less impressed by the fact that most of Stephen’s time at the opening was taken up by a Radio journalist when I am sure that a number of guests including me would have been eager to talk to him about his work or at least have the opportunity to ask questions.
The Impressions Gallery is a wonderful space.
Thank you
Paul Harris
Paul Harris
"I shall return"
Hadrian Hudson
We met Stephen on the penultimate day of his exhibition (12th April) when he mistook me for a colleague of several years ago! But this funny little encounter was a nice end to the visit at the Impressions Gallery.
Stephen’s work is mighty impressive, as are his tales of camping out in Iceland and the conditions he endured while getting the somewhat cumbersome equipment to capture such magnificent imagery. Beautiful and awe-inspring, the photographs were well worth a few ’minor’ hardships, eh?!
We’ll keep an eye on Stephen’s website for future exhibitions, and we wish him all the best in getting his book published (we want a copy!).
Warmest regards,
I have to sad it is that so few galleries, including yourselves, appear to show no interest in forming direct links with artists who maintain online displays of photographic work.
Peter Reid
I’ve been an admirer of Stephen’s work for a long time now.
Once again he has produced a series of extraordinary landscape photographs, I thoroughly recommend you visit the exhibition.
I’m hoping to get an original as a centrepiece for my Paris flat.
Keep up the good work, Stephen.
Best wishes,
Antony
Antony Owen
Sorry I forgot to sign our previous comment below ("We met Stephen...") - thanks,
Ihsan Alnasrawi
Ihsan Alnasrawi
Been to see the exhibition?
Why not tell us about it?