British Identity In Focus

Exploring Jamie Hawkesworth’s “The British Isles”

July 2nd, 2024

By Ellen Stone

Amidst today's societal clamour, the question of what it truly feels like to be British resonates deeply, demanding introspection. As the nation braces for a pivotal general election on July 4th, grappling with issues of identity and direction, this inquiry grows increasingly urgent and complex.

Within this turbulent backdrop, many find themselves at a crossroads, navigating against the rising currents of right-wing politics and conservatism. The question of whether you can proclaim yourself "proud to be British" in such a climate remains unanswered. Hawkesworth’s photographic series, The British Isles, boldly steps into this uncertain terrain, capturing the essence of contemporary Britain with a nuanced and empathetic gaze. Through his lens, we embark on a journey through the multifaceted and often contradictory facets of Britishness.

*Untitled,* from the series *The British Isles*, 2007-2020, Jamie Hawkesworth (c) Jamie Hawkesworth, image courtesy Huxley-Parlour

From 2007 to 2020, Hawkesworth’s series unfolds as an alternative narrative of Britain amidst significant social and political upheavals - the financial crisis, riots, referendums, and ongoing political flux. Each photograph becomes a vignette, a window into the evolving landscape shaped by these events, subtly challenging viewers to reconsider British identity in a time of profound change. In everyday settings - schools, markets, and workplaces - Hawkesworth uncovers a resilient spirit. Against the backdrop of uncertainty and instability, these ordinary scenes eloquently speak of British perseverance and strength - qualities integral to the nation's character. Yet beneath this resilience lies an undercurrent of uncertainty - are these moments of endurance indicative of thriving, or merely surviving?

“Are these moments of endurance indicative of thriving, or merely surviving?”

Hawkesworth’s images mirror the broader tapestry of British community life while exposing fractures within this collective identity. From schoolchildren to local shopkeepers, each individual is woven into a fabric of shared experiences marked by strains and tensions. In an era of fragmentation, these connections remind us of our common humanity, yet also highlight challenges in fostering solidarity amidst social and political divides.

Hawkesworth’s deliberate choice to title every image “The British Isles” without specific temporal markers imbues his work with a timeless quality, underscoring the cyclical nature of British life. This approach suggests that while external circumstances may change, the underlying struggles and values persist, shaping a Britain caught between tradition and progress - a balance that both grounds and unsettles us, inviting reflection on our evolving cultural landscape.

Zygmunt Bauman's concept of "liquid modernity" provides a profound lens for interpreting the wider content in The British Isles. Bauman, a renowned sociologist, coined the term to describe a contemporary condition characterised by fluidity, uncertainty, and rapid change. In contrast to "solid modernity," which emphasises stability and fixed social structures, liquid modernity reflects a world where traditional boundaries and identities are increasingly fluid and transient.

“While external circumstances may change, the underlying struggles and values persist…”

Bauman argues that in this liquid modernity, individuals and societies experience a constant state of flux. Established norms, institutions, and identities dissolve and reform at an accelerating pace, leading to a sense of instability and precariousness. This concept resonates deeply with Hawkesworth’s portrayal of contemporary Britain, where the familiar is forefronted a-temporally as the constant changes over the period threaten the perceived everyday “way of life”. This dual perspective - of resilience amid uncertainty - mirrors Bauman’s observations about the paradoxical nature of modernity, where individuals seek stability and meaning in an inherently unstable world.

Hawkesworth’s use of analogue photography lends a tactile, timeless quality to his work, again highlighting the photographer’s revel in life’s ordinary moments. This reverence invites introspection on whether we cherish the ordinary because it’s inherently valuable or simply because it offers stability in a world of flux.

This is coupled with the use of hazy warmth and a sun-drenched palette, which imbues his images with a nostalgic, almost dreamlike quality that contrasts sharply with the stark realities of the social and political landscape the images were created in. This aesthetic enhances emotional resonance, drawing viewers into a contemplative space where beauty and hardship coexist. The warm hues and gentle light create an inviting atmosphere that softens the edges of his subjects' lives, forcing deeper reflection on the complexities of contemporary British identity - ultimately challenging viewers to look beyond the surface and confront the nuanced realities of life in Great Britain.

As the UK goes to the polls, Hawkesworth’s photographs stand as a testament to the enduring human spirit and the intricate tapestry of British life. They challenge us not to embrace British identity uncritically, but to engage in a nuanced exploration of what it means to be British in our contemporary world. Through his lens, we encounter moments of strength, beauty, and unity, yet also through lived contextual experience we are confronted with doubt and reevaluation. In this journey of reflection, Hawkesworth invites us to see ourselves anew, navigating the complexities of identity and belonging with empathy and insight.

"The British Isles" by Jamie Hawkesworth will be exhibited at Huxley-Parlour, 45 Maddox Street, London, from 11th July to 10th August 2024. For more information, visit www.huxleyparlour.com.

UPDATE 15th AUGUST 2024: Huxley-Parlour is pleased to announce that the exhibition “The British Isles” has been extended until 13th September 2024.

About Jamie Hawkesworth

Hawkesworth was born in Ipswich, Suffolk in 1987. Initially introduced to photography as part of his forensic science degree, he then switched to studying the medium, graduating from the University of Lancashire in 2009 with a BA in Photography. Hawkesworth’s Preston Bus Station was published in 2017; On Keeping a Notebook in 2019; and The British Isles in 2021. In 2018 he received the Award for Editorial, Advertising and Fashion Photography from the Royal Photographic Society. He has worked on editorial campaigns, catalogues and commissions for Alexander McQueen, J.W. Anderson and Loewe, amongst many others. His documentary works have been exhibited in London, Amsterdam and New York. His work is held in the permanent collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London and Huis Marseille, Amsterdam. Hawkesworth lives and works in London.

@jamie.hawkesworth

jamiehawkesworth.co.uk