Alys Tomlinson
Alys Tomlinson explores the relationship between people and place through fine art documentary photography. She creates theatrical, sensitive and illuminating images, often using a large-format film camera, with little but the subject to work with.
With research as the starting point of her projects, Alys uses her practice to explore themes of environment, belonging, and identity. ‘Gli Isolani’ (The Islanders) saw her examine the lives of islanders in modern-day Italy, capturing little-known rituals and traditions inspired by paganism, fables, and folklore (published by GOST Books). ‘Lost Summer’ captures the poignancy of an important lost time for teenagers who were unable to attend their school-prom during the lockdown period. In ‘Ex-Voto’, Alys explored Christian pilgrimage sites in France, Ireland, and Poland, creating images that evoke a distinct stillness and reflect a mysterious, timeless quality. Following this, Alys co-directed her film, ‘Mother Vera’, a feature-length documentary based on an Orthodox Christian nun whose portrait was a key image in the ‘Ex-Voto’ project.
Alys currently lives and works in London, and studied photography at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design. Her work has been recognised with awards worldwide, including first prize in the Taylor Wessing Award from the National Portrait Gallery, the Grierson Award for Best Documentary, and the Public Prize at the Rencontres d’Arles Discovery Award.
