Graduation season is upon us once again, when a slew of new photographers will be leaving BA and MA courses from across the country. One such graduate, Andy Greaves, who has recently completed the MA Photography course at De Montfort University in Leicester, was kind enough to get in touch recently with details of his final thesis. Greaves has produced a series of portraits around the theme of English identity.

Here’s a short commentary about his ‘England My England’ project with a selection of photographs.

“After careful consideration I am driven to the conclusion that my ‘English’ identity is deep within me, symbolically at my own front door. That my own identity and that of being English is as much shaped by my own personal history as it is by the Englishness defined by any academic notions of the subject; the country’s aspects of climate, social, political and cultural history. To ignore our own personal history is to ignore not just an essential part of who we are as individuals but what makes us all collectively English. I do not deny that English nationalism exists but it is similarly difficult to deny that the nation state is not constructed by those it best profits: the politicians, the Established order, the monarchy, and the Church. Furthermore that national identity is both multi faceted and continuously shifting. If I sound cynical and ambivalent it is because my own personal experiences, readings and education have ingrained within me this opinion.”

Brian © Andy Greaves, 2008

Vendor © Andy Greaves, 2008

“As photographers we are often outsiders looking in and therefore only expected to respond visually to what is in front of us backed up by the necessary research. During this project I have felt the burden of being on the inside looking out, having to consider those aspects of Englishness, the mass of cultural, historical, political baggage that an Englishman would necessarily take for granted and an outsider would be unaware of.”

Elizabeth, Alan and Karl © Andy Greaves, 2008

Emily © Andy Greaves, 2008

“My series of images attempt to capture my feelings towards my nationality, a personal reflection of Englishness. Essentially of friends, family and close acquaintances they attempt to show a quintessential Englishness. They are of people who in many ways have shaped and represent my current thinking on Englishness.”

Annie and Andrew © Andy Greaves, 2008

Mum and Dad © Andy Greaves, 2008

You can see the entire series on Greaves’ website here.

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