Anna Fox – “Telling tales, carnival, village life, strong colour, sideways glance”
Where are you from?
I am from rural Hampshire, I lived in London for about 10 years and am now back in rural Hampshire.
When did you realise you wanted to be a photographer?
My interest in the idea started when I was about 14 – my father had wanted to be a photographer, and was not able to be as he did not feel he could sustain a family on the wages! So he encouraged me and bought me my first camera as well as teaching me how to black and white print.
What influences your practice?
Goodness – so many things, the news local, national and international, literature – I love reading novels and these really inspire me, other artists and photographers, current debate, writing on photography, people’s lives – what’s happening and isn’t being talked about enough, personal experience – all sorts of things.
Five features that sum up your practice?
Telling tales, carnival, village life, strong colour, sideways glance
What has changed most for you this year since the outbreak of Covid-19?
I have been far too busy with all sorts of things including teaching and applying for grants, I have also been busy re looking at old work and re thinking it which I rarely have time to do. I have had to manage situations with sick relatives in a very different way and one important person close to me died.
Perfect dinner party guests (dead or alive)?
Jane Austin, Maggie Smith, David Bowie
Book on your bedside table?
I read multiple things all the time so this list may seem odd: The Kindness of Women - JG Ballard; Washington Black – Esi Edugyan; Martha – Sian Davey; Decolonising the Camera – Mark Sealy.
