Photographer Jon Tonks set out to document several small islands, formerly owned by the British colonial empire, for his latest project. Titled 'Empire,' the series focuses on post-colonial regions.
Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena and Falkland Islands, all of which are scattered around the South Atlantic, were photographed in present-day. However, this might not be immediately obvious; each image looks as though it could have been taken decades ago. The invocation of the past is perhaps what makes this series so delightful, and definitely what makes it so intriguing.
The project was no casual endeavor, with Tonks dedicating a month to each territory. Numerically, the project cost him 24 flights, approximately 400 film rolls and six years to complete.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Post-colonial Island Photography
- Opportunity for photographers and artists to explore and document post-colonial regions through photography.
- British Colonial Empire Remnants
- Historical exploration and preservation through photography, highlighting remnants of the British colonial empire.
- Visual Time Travel
- Creating a visual journey through time by capturing present-day locations in a way that evokes a sense of the past.
Where This Applies
- Photography
- Potential for photographers to specialize in post-colonial island photography as a unique niche.
- Art
- Opportunity for artists to create artwork depicting the remnants and impact of the British colonial empire.
- Historical Preservation
- Exploration of historical sites and artifacts through photography for educational and cultural preservation purposes.
