Club Meeting, 'Living Art' - Tuesday 9th November 2021
Morpeth Camera Clubs’ speaker on 9th November was Phil Punton, a professional photographer based in the
north east. He has experience in several genres of photography and is passionate about teaching others. He
is also committed to supporting both local and national media and the NHS. He started working as a wedding
photographer at the age of seventeen and showed the audience examples of his work, describing his lighting
equipment and the methods he used to attain the best results.
In his presentation, entitled Living Art, Phil talked about his current work which involves recreating great
works of art through photography. This project arose when, through his love of art, he was then invited
to recreate an Augustus John painting for a brochure. This led to the enterprise The Historic and Mythical
Imagery Group, in conjunction with a special partnership between the Hatton and Laing Galleries. This
group comprises of performers and crafters whose aim is to recreate either famous works of art or to
make an interpretation of something mythical.
Members make the costumes and props and find sympathetic locations to ensure that the final images are
a true reflection of the original paintings. The actors study a painting to make sure that their character is
placed at the right angle and has the correct facial expression while Phil studies and takes notes of how the
painting had been lit, making sure that the tone, lighting and perspective are sympathetic with the original.
Phil enjoys working with a live audience and it was suggested that the group recreate paintings that are on
exhibition at the Hatton Gallery. At these events members of the public are invited to watch the recreation
in action, to take part and interact with the set up. His projects have included works by Leonardo da Vinci,
Courbet, Rembrandt, Durer and Caravaggio but his latest project was his interpretation of Jack Vettriano’s,
The Singing Butler. We heard anecdotes of the day, describing setting up on the beach, how the day worked
out together with describing the happy camaraderie of the group. A copy was sent to Vettriano who replied
with glowing praise.
A lot of people ask Phil ‘why’ and whether the creations should be perfect. His reply is that his aim is to pay
homage to, to show respect and appreciation for great works of art and to enjoy the whole creative process.
His future plans are to recreate more Pre-Raphaelite paintings, also the very challenging project of the Raft
of Medusa by Théodore Géricaults, and event photography, re-enactment work and lighting tutorials. He has
also been asked to do more public set ups and exhibitions showing how his work is done. He said that he
welcomes this, as having the public in attendance makes all the difference and that participation is key to
creating atmosphere. He concluded by saying that the group are constantly buzzing with ideas, they do it
for love, the learning process and creativity. Phil’s enthusiasm and passion for his work shone throughout
the evening.
Steph.
north east. He has experience in several genres of photography and is passionate about teaching others. He
is also committed to supporting both local and national media and the NHS. He started working as a wedding
photographer at the age of seventeen and showed the audience examples of his work, describing his lighting
equipment and the methods he used to attain the best results.
In his presentation, entitled Living Art, Phil talked about his current work which involves recreating great
works of art through photography. This project arose when, through his love of art, he was then invited
to recreate an Augustus John painting for a brochure. This led to the enterprise The Historic and Mythical
Imagery Group, in conjunction with a special partnership between the Hatton and Laing Galleries. This
group comprises of performers and crafters whose aim is to recreate either famous works of art or to
make an interpretation of something mythical.
Members make the costumes and props and find sympathetic locations to ensure that the final images are
a true reflection of the original paintings. The actors study a painting to make sure that their character is
placed at the right angle and has the correct facial expression while Phil studies and takes notes of how the
painting had been lit, making sure that the tone, lighting and perspective are sympathetic with the original.
Phil enjoys working with a live audience and it was suggested that the group recreate paintings that are on
exhibition at the Hatton Gallery. At these events members of the public are invited to watch the recreation
in action, to take part and interact with the set up. His projects have included works by Leonardo da Vinci,
Courbet, Rembrandt, Durer and Caravaggio but his latest project was his interpretation of Jack Vettriano’s,
The Singing Butler. We heard anecdotes of the day, describing setting up on the beach, how the day worked
out together with describing the happy camaraderie of the group. A copy was sent to Vettriano who replied
with glowing praise.
A lot of people ask Phil ‘why’ and whether the creations should be perfect. His reply is that his aim is to pay
homage to, to show respect and appreciation for great works of art and to enjoy the whole creative process.
His future plans are to recreate more Pre-Raphaelite paintings, also the very challenging project of the Raft
of Medusa by Théodore Géricaults, and event photography, re-enactment work and lighting tutorials. He has
also been asked to do more public set ups and exhibitions showing how his work is done. He said that he
welcomes this, as having the public in attendance makes all the difference and that participation is key to
creating atmosphere. He concluded by saying that the group are constantly buzzing with ideas, they do it
for love, the learning process and creativity. Phil’s enthusiasm and passion for his work shone throughout
the evening.
Steph.