Oliver Raymond Barker | Trinity

Oliver Raymond Barker | Trinity

Trinity is a journey into landscape. It explores the complex layers of narrative embedded in the fabric of the land and engages with histories of spirituality, protest and control.

The images originate from 20 x 24 inch paper negatives, exposed in a custom built ‘backpack’ camera obscura - a tent like structure designed to allow creation of large format images in remote locations. Raymond-Barker sees this as an anti-camera, one that does not strive for the resolution and clarity of traditional photo-mechanical devices but instead seeks to capture the essence of place whilst also providing sanctuary for the artist.

From early christian pilgrims who voyaged to remote corners of the British isles such as Rosneath during Roman times, to its current occupation as home of the UK's nuclear deterrent Trident, this remote peninsula has been the site of diverse histories.

Amongst these is the story of St. Modan, the son of an Irish chieftain who in the 6th century renounced his position as an abbot to live as a hermit. He journeyed to this remote peninsula in search of sanctuary and sought to use the elemental power of nature as a means of gaining spiritual enlightenment.

Today however, the peninsula is dominated by the presence of military bases HMNB Faslane and RNAD Coulport, the home of the UK’s nuclear deterrent Trident. Existing alongside these sprawling sites are the small, temporary constructions of itinerant activists protesting against the military presence – locations such as the Peace Wood bear traces of their occupation.

The project weaves together theses disparate yet interconnected threads, to form an immersive body of work, made on the boundaries of the photographic medium.

- Oliver Raymond Barker, 2021

Trinity is part of Strata; one of three solo presentations across all floors of the gallery; including Jackson Whitefield's Datum (floor one), and Youki Hirakawa's Axis (floor two).

We hope you can join us for the exhibition preview on Friday 14th November, 6.30-8.30pm.