I am a visual artist, based in the UK, working predominantly across analogue photography. My practice adapts around materials and environments, weaving photographic knowledge, processes and systems into ecological frameworks. This provides me with avenues through which I can rethink photographic futures that depart from capitalist ideologies. 

I am the founder of the Sustainable Darkroom, a charity dedicated to researching and disseminating lower-toxicity photographic materials and methods. I also co-direct London Alternative Photography Collective, am represented by Land Art Agency and am a facilitator of sustainability within the arts.

Using a DIY, low-impact, low-waste approach, I expand on photography to think through complex relationships between materials, making and capitalism. The works, often move away from the representational, as I allow the materials or landscape to guide and direct the formation of the image. Letting go of expectations and relinquishing control become part of the rhythm of making.

Incorporating waste from previous projects, I find that the residues and remnants from my photographic practice, often pull me into unchartered territories and new mediums. Such as making paint from my home-made degraded photo-chemistries or sculptures that remediate the silver from my spent photographic fixer.

This approach of photographic expansiveness and fluidity, while simultaneously maintaining careful relationship with materials and place, brings me into deep connection with our ecosystem. It is a process of looking and listening, a process of being perceptive and conscious. It is a slow process, one full of limitations and mistakes. But simultaneously full of continuous learning, gratitude and wonder.

I have exhibited in museum, galleries and festivals across the UK and Europe, including Saatchi Gallery (London), Chappe Art Museum (Finland), Hestercombe Gallery (Somerset), Art House Jersey (Jersey), The Photographers Gallery (London), Ratamo Gallery (Finland), Sluice HQ (London), Old Fire Station (Oxford), Woodend Gallery (Scarborough), Belfast Photo Festival (Ireland), Unseen (Amsterdam), Photo Oxford (Oxford), Format Festival (Darby) and Tate Exchange (London).

I have taught at venues including The Science Gallery, V&A, The Royal Academy, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe (Hamburg), Hestercombe Gardens and Gallery, The Royal College of Art, Slade School of Art, Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design (Germany) and the Architectural Association. 

Comissions include Art House Jersey, Proposition studios, Chappe Art Museum and Il Giornale Dell’Arte.

Please get in touch if you are interested in talks, lectures, mentoring, tutoring, workshops and more.

Email: studio@hannahfletcher.com

Top image by Josefina Astorga