Johnnie Shand Kydd on photographing YBAs and his new dog-walk series
Photographer Johnnie Shand Kydd, known for his intimate black-and-white portraits of the Young British Artists in the 1990s, has turned his lens to a new subject: his lurcher dogs. In a recent interview, he discusses his early work capturing Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, and Sarah Lucas in unguarded moments, which upended the convention of studio portraiture. Now living in rural Suffolk, he finds inspiration in his dogs' unruly behavior, drawing parallels to the chaotic energy of the YBA scene. His photographs of the dogs, like his earlier work, emphasize spontaneity and personality over formal composition.
Key facts
- Johnnie Shand Kydd photographed the Young British Artists in the 1990s
- His images were shot in black and white
- He captured artists like Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, and Sarah Lucas
- His work rejected traditional studio poses
- He now photographs his lurcher dogs in rural Suffolk
- One of his dogs, Finn, is hard of hearing and has a history of disappearing
- He draws a connection between the dogs' behavior and the YBAs' energy
- The interview took place during a walk in Suffolk
Entities
Artists
- Johnnie Shand Kydd
- Tracey Emin
- Damien Hirst
- Sarah Lucas
Locations
- Suffolk