Paul Graham: Verdigris / Ambergris
Verdigris / Ambergris marks the conclusion of a twelve-year series by Paul Graham that explores the fleeting nature of life and our inevitable mortality. This pair of companion books focuses on individuals gazing at the endless horizon, one set against land (*Verdigris*) and the other against sea (*Ambergris*).
*[Verdigris refers to the green patina that forms on oxidized copper, like that on the Statue of Liberty. Ambergris is a rare, mysterious substance produced by whales, highly prized by beachcombers and used in perfumery.]*
The first book intersperses these reflective portraits with images of cherry blossoms, while the second complements them with photographs of the setting sun. These scenes were captured respectively in a park overlooking the post-industrial landscape of New Jersey, where Graham has worked for the past seven years, and along the northern coast of Long Island, a region with a long-standing tradition of sunset viewing.
Graham uses these iconic elements of natural beauty—and those who observe them—to craft a nuanced exploration of how we perceive and experience the world’s beauty. While the portraits of horizon-watchers are captured with the sharp clarity of the golden hour, the accompanying images in each volume are intentionally flawed through the photographic process. In *Verdigris*, the cherry blossom images were taken with a digital camera in an ultra-resolution mode that uses multiple micro-shifted exposures. However, the gentle sway of the breeze disrupts the camera’s attempt to create a clear image. In *Ambergris*, the intense sunset images are produced by a camera designed to capture full color information at every pixel. When pushed to its limits, the camera produces images marked by artifacts from the overwhelming data.
In this stunning series, Graham intentionally embraces the imperfections of his photographic tools, creating a powerful meditation on life’s transience, the wonder it holds, and the inevitable decay tied to beauty.
About the Author
Paul Graham (born 1956, United Kingdom) is a British Fine Art photographer renowned for his realistic depictions of people and objects, often incorporating surreal or unexpected elements into his images. Although he started his career in photography in his twenties, it wasn’t until he turned 30 that he held his first exhibition, which took place at the Watershed Gallery in Bristol, England, in 1986. That year marked a significant turning point in his career, as he was honored with the GLC Publications Award and the Arts Council Publications Award. Graham has also been the recipient of the Young Photographers Award, the Channel 4/Arts Council Video Bursary, the Charles Pratt Memorial Fellowship, and the Royal Photographic Society Award. In 2012, he made history as the first British recipient of the International Award in Photography from the Hasselblad Foundation. While Fine Art photography had already been established for some time, Graham emerged as one of the pioneering photographers in this genre during the 1980s. His notable work, *A1 – The Great North Road*, captures scenes along a stretch of the A1 road with vibrant and saturated colors.
Graham has authored 12 books and survey monographs that capture various regions of the world. His 12-book series *A Shimmer of Possibility* features photographs taken across the United States, while *Empty Heaven* chronicles his experiences in Japan. He has also published works such as *SteidlMACK* and *Phaidon*. Much of his photography is centered on significant cultural and historical themes; for example, *Beyond Caring* examines the struggles faced by the unemployed, and *Troubled Land* is well-known for being one of the first photographic series to document the Northern Ireland conflict.
Throughout his career, Graham has showcased his work in numerous galleries worldwide, including the Kodak Gallery in Tokyo, the Anthony Reynolds Gallery in London, the Karyn Lovegrove Gallery in Los Angeles, and the Galerie Claire Burrus in Paris. His series *The Present* was exhibited at the Pace/MacGill Gallery in New York in 2012. Additionally, Graham’s work is part of the permanent collections at prestigious institutions such as the Tate Gallery in London, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Arts Council of Great Britain in London. Currently, Graham splits his time between London and New York City.
