” I only shoot when and if there is a subject or a idea or a person that really piques my interest. ” – Interview with Stuart Sandford.
Could you tell us a bit about your background? What got you interested in taking photos?
I got into it totally by accident really. My boyfriend at the time pushed me into taking a fine art degree (and I’m glad he did so thanks Matthew!) and I concentrated on photography and the movie image which is really where my passion has always been. I started off acting, then wanting to write and direct, and that lead me to pick up a camera and start taking photographs.
Tell us about your creative process. How do decide who and where to shoot?
It’s totally organic. Because I’ve been concentrating on my sculpturalpractice mostly for the last few years, my photographic practice has taken a sideline and so I only shoot when and if there is a subject or a idea or a person that really piques my interest.
Your stylie in photography often naughty, do you consider yourself more naughty or nice?
I wouldn’t say naughty per se but definitely playful. Nice? Maybe. I always wanted my work to be fun and celebratory as mostly what I saw whilst growing up was the opposite.
What do you like the most in polaroid photography?
I love the immediacy and the intimacy of Polaroid and intimacy has always been one of the focuses within my practice, be it real or imagined. For example, with the book I just released, I initially planned it to be all Polaroid’s of my then boyfriend and show the intimacy and obsession that comes with being in love with someone. However, he ended up breaking my heart and, mostly as I way of getting over that, I created a fantasy world of intimacy with those around me and that became the book.
As Carrie Fisher said ’Take your broken heart, make it into art.’
You got a bunch of selfies on instagram. Do you enjoy being in frontof the camera? Nude or clothes on? If you can pick one photographer to photograph you, who will be?
Ha well I mean I don’t enjoy being in front of the camera really, I’ve always said I’m a voyeur and not an exhibitionist, but the older you get (and I’ll be 40 this year) the more comfortable you get with your body and the less you care what others think of you. I’ve also been doing CrossFit for the last year and I’m pretty proud of the results so why not share them? Hmmm oh I would love to be photographed by Wolfgang Tillmans, he’s one of my photographic idols.
Are there any living artists you admire?
Oh many. Along with Wolfgang Tillmans (mentioned above) and Nan Goldin, both huge influencers on my early photographic practice, I’m a huge fan of Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst, artists who work and question the very nature and role of the artist.
Art is subjective. For you, what’s the thin line between art and porn?
It’s simple, pornography is by its very nature designed exclusively to titillate but art exists to do so much more.
Does the current political and social climate in the US affect yourwork?
Well all artwork is political, the very act of making art is political actionin and of itself, so one can’t fail to be effected. Mostly it makes me more passionate about the work I want to do and more intent to get it out there.
Find more: @stuartsandford / www.stuartsandford.com