Introduction
These photographs explore the confrontation between 21st century consumer society and the boundary of the coastal habitat. The eye focuses upon plastic, polyphone, panty liners and other disposed items washed up on the shoreline. Despite their ominous presence, these mass-produced items become aesthetic forms within the open theatre of the beach.
Andy Hughes was born in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England in 1966. He graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1991. In 1995 he moved to work and live in St Ives, Cornwall. He has supported various NGO's and has worked with Surfers Against Sewage since 1991. His work was recently auctioned for the Marine Conservation Society at Deutsche Bank headquarters in the City of London, his work received one of the highest bids.
Andy Hughes was awarded the first Tate Gallery St Ives Artist Residency in 1993 and was recently shortlisted for the Arts Council Antarctic Fellowship 2007 & 2008. In 2009/10 a major exhibition of Andy Hughes work was exhibited at the The Mariners Museum, Virginia, USA. He teaches foundation degree photography at Truro College, Cornwall.
