Andy Hughes’ photographs explore the detritus and garbage washed upon on the shores near to where he surfs. Despite their ominous presence, Hughes transforms these mass-produced items into aesthetic forms within the open theatre of the beach.

By photographing everyday products in such an environment, Hughes attempts to draw attention to the small scale, the unseen, and the pollutants of modern industrial consumerist society. These works concentrate upon those things that our busy and excessive lives leave behind, discarded and thrown away with little or no thought as demanded by our contemporary lives.

These photographs relate to the ocean and strand line…

Andy Hughes’ photographs explore the detritus and garbage washed upon on the shores near to where he surfs. Despite their ominous presence, Hughes transforms these mass-produced items into aesthetic forms within the open theatre of the beach.

By photographing everyday products in such an environment, Hughes attempts to draw attention to the small scale, the unseen, and the pollutants of modern industrial consumerist society. These works concentrate upon those things that our busy and excessive lives leave behind, discarded and thrown away with little or no thought as demanded by our contemporary lives.

These photographs relate to the ocean and strand line in a similar way that humans wander the beach in search of flotsam and jetsam; Hughes’ photographs relate to our sense of wandering in search of fascinating objects of discovery.

After graduating from the Royal College of Art in 1991, Hughes undertook various residencies and lecturing posts. It was whilst studying Fine Art in Cardiff that he learned to surf - along the industrialised coastline of South Wales.

It was the experience of surfing that shifted Hughes’ focus towards an investigation into the ‘coastline’, which he felt was an environment that was adored but under threat by development and human exploitation. He moved to West Cornwall in the mid-nineties to concentrate on a series of work that is now complete. This work is to be published later this year in a major book titled ‘Dominant Wave Theory’, by internationally acclaimed publisher Booth-Clibborn and designed by David Carson. The photographs shown here will feature in the book. In 2003, Hughes took part in a touring group exhibition of ‘Longboard Art’, in association with Oxbow and Surfers Against Sewage. Other artists included Damien Hirst, Banksy and Jamie Hewlett. Amongst other places, he has shown his work at Tate Gallery, St Ives, and awards and commissions have included a funding grant from the Arts Council of England, the National Lottery & Millennium Commission; Eastern Arts Young Artist Award, and commissions from the Sunday Times and ELLE Magazine.