Sixty Degrees North by Phil Brooks
To say "we leave for the North tonight" brings immediate thoughts of a harder place, a place of dearth: uplands, adverse weather, remoteness from cities... To say "we leave for the South" brings associations of traveling for pleasure... (Davidson 2005: 9) by Peter Davidson taken from The Idea of North

Phil Brooks has always been fascinated by the idea of the North and the appeal of cold, often inhospitable environments. After considering how “the North” might be defined, Phil decided to explore those countries, landscapes and communities that could be found 60 degrees north of the equator. He then embarked upon a physical and spiritual journey that began on the Siberian border with Norway, through Scandinavia, to the Scottish Islands including Orkney, and Shetland’s remote island of Foula, which is missed off many maps. He then continued on to the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Northern Canada and Southern Alaska. It is important to say that the journey is not yet complete. Phil still intends to visit Siberia to more fully complete this project.

Through Phil’s extraordinary photographs, we are able to share some of his experiences and to develop a greater understanding of the lands and the people who occupy this northernmost part of the world. Whilst on the one hand, we can revel in the awe-inspiring, sublime landscapes he encountered on his journey; we are also introduced to individuals and communities he met along the way. Through these compelling images, Phil raises questions about stereotyping and westernization. Overall, his work reveals the complexity of this environment and his own passion and affinity for “the North”.

The work is currently on show at The New Art Gallery Walsall

Gallery Square
Walsall
WS2 8LG
United Kingdom

6/6/2008---27/7/2008
Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday 11am to 4pm

A publication accompanies this exhibition and is available from the Gallery at a price of £6.50. The publication has been supported by the University of Wolverhampton.

Phil Brook's Biography-Awards/ Publications/ Exhibitions:2007-Three-page personal article/images, British Journal of Photography (28/2), 60 degrees north. 2003 - Emerging Young Artists Exhibition, Birmingham, 60 degrees north.- Solo exhibition, 60 degrees north, The Now Gallery, Birmingham. 2000 - Lapland publication, 6 pages, ‘Foto magazine’, Germany. 1999 - Full-page article, The Scotsman (3/4), `Lords of the Arctic`. 1998 - Exhibition, Alchemy Gallery, London; Exhibition, Street Level Gallery, Glasgow, (LPA). - Publication and review, Practical Photography.- Exhibition, Bates Gallery, Frankfurt, (LPA). 1997 - Overall winner of the International, `London Photographic Awards.'- Double-page feature London Photographic Awards Book.- Full-page feature, British Journal of Photography-1996 - Double-page feature, Point 33 Book, published in Edinburgh. - Exhibition`Europe's Forgotten People', The Electric Frog, The Edinburgh Festival-1995 -Exhibition, The Electric Frog, Edinburgh-91/92 -Midland Region Award, Portraiture, 2nd place, B.I.P.P / Youngest Licentiate of the B.I.P.P.-1988 -Student Year Prize (Kentmere Ltd).