Artist Spotlight Series: Meet Tim Forster - Photographer & Social Realist
TIM FORSTER
A European-based Internationalist
1. Share a bit about yourself and how you became an artist.
I was born into a poor working-class family in Coventry, an industrial town, and grew up during the Thatcher era. State educated, art was a school subject, but unfortunately not taught creatively or in an interesting way. Art soon dropped out of my curriculum, gravitating to a more traditional working-class future; the factory floor, pub-life……. and a slow journey to oblivion. My saving grace: the music of Bowie, the Clash, Penetration, the Slits and a myriad of garage bands that rose to challenge the status quo, injecting performance art, class consciousness, diversity and anti-racism into my thinking. Reggae music, discovery of the French ‘New Wave’ films, progressive politics, acceptance of diverse groups and questioning mainstream narratives soon followed, leading to university and an escape from working-class oblivion.
An interest in languages and my first ever travels outside the UK soon followed, and the chance of a lifetime; a scholarship to study at ‘Universite de Technologie de Compiegne’ in France. It was here that I had my artistic awakening, through modules in ‘Histoire d’Art’, ‘Philosophie’ and regular trips to Paris to visit Quai D’Orsay, Musée Dapper, Musée Picasso and many others. A visit to ‘Chateau d’Eau’ in Toulouse, introduced me to the work of Sebastiao Salgado, and that’s where I fell in love with photography, not only as an art form, but also as means to tell a story. A means to expose injustices, a means to chronicle the lives of ordinary people across the continents and more.
2. For artists who've always lived in their birth country, how does your homeland inspire your art?
Artists who born and raised in different countries, how do
those experiences influence your art?
Although I have two passports, and European ancestry, I consider myself a global citizen following in the steps of Bourdet, Camus, Davis and Einstein. I believe in a broad, culturally, and environmentally inclusive worldview that promotes the right to dignity and self-determination, “Education for living together in an interdependent world is not an optional extra, but an essential foundation". Inequality is the motor of neo-liberal economics, creating poverty, conflict, and destroying cultural identity. Since Thatcher I have opposed this narrative; a social activist, a world citizen and by choosing a profession, that I hope not only contributes to making people’s lives better, but which also creates a platform to observe and document the wonders and tragedies of this world.
I have lived and worked in over 60 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East. In villages, towns, cities and on mountain tops; travelling on foot, by boat, by bus, by car; by donkey and through the air. All linked to lived experiences with diverse communities, ethnic groups, freedom fighters, politicians, religious leaders and warlords. A fascinating cultural and social mix. Food, art and culture create a strong link to the people, places and the environment, and also create the opportunity to listen, to learn and to capture compelling visual images. Opportunities to integrate art into day-to-day work activities exist: performance art, song, poetry, murals, and graphic design, with photography being a particularly powerful tool. Observing other cultures creates artistic inspiration, just as Picasso was influenced by Africa masks, I have been influenced by horizons, landscapes, music, cultural traditions and most importantly, people.
3. Can you describe your art and your art style?
I am both a realist and an abstract photographer. I am fascinated by portraiture, not the rich and famous, but the men, women, boys, and girls that I encounter through my work, humble people that live difficult lives, blighted by conflict, poverty and displacement. I like to capture the looks, the expressions, and the souls of the people I meet, I am ‘Motivated by the desire to document real people’.
There is a Greek word that captures my style of photography OPSIS – and a series of photographs to capture such portraits.
It’s in your eyes in which I travel. Eyes are the reflection of the soul…… clear, pure, wide-open souls. Burning eyes bright like a flame. Eyes as deep as a clear sea .... Eyes that we meet one day by chance. Unleashing a fire of sparks; while a thousand other looks, drown in this material world “Why speak? When one look is enough, the eyes are the guide of life… joy, tears, sympathy, pain, limpid happiness,…… in the great light of day… piercing, gathered, twitching, tight…… soft, sincere, reassured”.
Northern Nigeria Girl – Photography by Tim Forster
4. Who are your biggest influences?
There have been many artistic influences in my life, not just artwork that I adore, but also some of the real-life artists that I have met. My artistic journey really started during my time at university in France through 'L'Histoire de l'Art', where I developed an interest in various art forms, but especially in photography – a passion awakened by Sebastião Salgado work. Other photographers I admire: Pierre Verger, who photographed daily life in Brazil and Andalucía. Tina Modotti, not only a photographer, but also a revolutionary, who photographed during the Mexican revolution. Then of course there is Tish Murtha, a social documentary photographer best known for documenting marginalised communities, social realism, and working-class life in Northeast of England. Ken Loach is also a major influence, not only his social realism films, but also his politics.
Realism is a beautiful way to see the world, seeing people as they really are, looking at the world through their eyes. My photography follows in the steps of these wonderful artists, who not only take photographs, but also who try to change the world for the better through camera lenses. It's so beautiful to capture people, emotions, places, and everything that has colour and contrast.
I also enjoy surrealist poetry and photography. The work of Dora Marr is inspiring, especially if we consider the surrealist effects were created through manual manipulations. Photography also combines so well with literature, poetry, and languages; words that inspire and create images. And I should mention some the Spanish poets that helped me learn Spanish: Lorca, Alberti, Cernuda, Guillén, Hernández to name but a few, immortalised by Paco Ibanez
5. How has your career developed and evolved?
I have no formal artistic training. My artistic journey really started during my time at a technical university in France through 'L'Histoire de l'Art' where I developed an interest in various art forms, especially in photography – a passion awakened visiting galleries and museums in Paris, and ever since I have enjoyed the company of artists, following artists on social media, visiting galleries and exhibitions. I also became a member of the PhotOx Photography Society in Oxford, curated by David Tolley, a Visiting Artist/Tutor in Fine Art at The Ruskin School of Art, University of Oxford.
To an Arum – Photography by Tim Forster
Dedicated to someone special
Tim doesn’t just create with the camera - he also writes. His words, like his photos, are full of feeling and quiet beauty. He shared this poem with us, and it speaks of connection, nature, and emotion in such a gentle way.
I am happy to share it with you here:
To an Arum
by Tim Forster
I cannot remember,
when you became mine.
Perhaps that morning
with the fragrance and brightness of the lake
With the tenderness
of the chattering leaves.
I remember how beautiful you were.
Full, in a bloom,
musing upon whispers and titters
Naked on the green damp ground.
Neither blinking in the light,
nor dwindling in the shadow.
There we first met.
Between water and earth
Only you and me!
The nymphs had departed.
And you filled my bareness,
with a thousand scents,
mixed with silence and desire………….
And in the ecstasy
of a momentary impulse, I felt you,
one half of a flower
one half of a lover…..
6. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
I have no particular ambitions with my photography and artwork, except that I want people to see, read and enjoy my work. I also want to raise people's awareness of the world, its diverse nature, the peoples, their cultures, the places they live. To make a connection between the work that I do and the things that I see, hear and experience. I would like to find more time to create a travelling exhibition of sights, sounds and words. I have exposed my work in Portugal and Oxford, and I would like to travel to Belorussia with my work.
I also want to dabble commercially with my abstract photographic work, but just for fun. I enjoy reflections, multiple exposures and over-exposing my photographs, as well as photographing objects from unusual angles. In post-shoot editing, I enjoy playing with colours to create surreal and colourful compositions.
7. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received as an artist?
Every artist’s creative path is different: there are no real rules, but it does help to learn 'technique' from someone who is more established artistically. It doesn't matter whether it's a paintbrush or a camera, it's good to exchange ideas and to learn from others. Never stop learning I will say and seek inspiration with other like-minded individuals; don't immerse yourself in the 'ordinary'. Challenge yourself, don't be constrained by borders, but above all, be yourself, do the things that you are passionate about…. share your love of art. Through going to my PhotOx classes in Oxford, I have learned appreciate the beauty of light, the beauty of colours and compositions.
Dreaming – Photography by Tim Forster
8. How do you balance your personal life and your art practice?
Personally, I am struggling now to dedicate sufficient time to satisfy my artistic desires. My work can be very demanding, and psychologically draining at times, so my artwork appears in fits and starts - but my mind is always in a perpetual state of activity. So yes, the balance between life, work and art is a difficult one, there is no magical solution, and we must adapt the way we fit our artwork into our lives.
9. How do you balance social media and your art creation?
I enjoy social media, principally Instagram, as somehow it is an extension of the vast network I have through my work. Given my pleasure is photographic work and poetry, Instagram lends itself perfectly to trial and experiment ideas. I have thought about creating my own website, to market my work, but somehow, I struggle to find the time to do this – but it is always in my thoughts. The biggest disrupter to my artwork is my day job, but at the same time, it’s also the source of my creativity and who I am.
10. Can you share your favourite quote and what it means to you?
Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore,
non feci mai male ad anima viva!
Life is an artform in itself, and love is such a beautiful state of being……and of course, ‘do no harm’, what more is there to say.
11. Do you have any advice for aspiring artists or those thinking of starting an art career?
Don’t think too much about it, just do what makes you feel good. Try to just do a little bit each day, until it becomes part of your life. Look for moments of pleasure and being able to share them. Your art reflects who you are, and the more it is you, the more it will speak to other people. Art is a path not a destination, a path paved with creativity and imagination. Work hard, study lots, search inspiration and develop a creative vision. Expose yourself to other cultures and other ways of doing things, it expands their horizons and the imagination. Most of all, don’t be dependent on other people’s affirmation or rejection.
12. Where can people find your art?
Instagram: @Abstrak_timages
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tim.forster.73/
Sachi: https://www.saatchiart.com/en-gb/account/artworks/1591589
Contact Details
Tim Forster
Email: timbofor@yahoo.co.uk tim@timforster.org
WhatsApp: +44 7833045847
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