Mark Murton

I am a photographer with a passion for documenting the areas close to where I live. I have a particular interest in photography as a form of visual storytelling and like to create a series of images of distinctive places and festivals to try and create a “sense of place”. 

I am originally from South West London where I previously held a photographic exhibition, funded by the local Arts Council,  which celebrated the distinctiveness of the local area - encouraging people to take pride in the place they live.

Since moving to Brixham in 2019, I have continued in the same vein.

As someone with a strong passion for the environment, it is no surprise that I now spend a lot of time in the local nature reserves of Brixham and beyond, as well as exploring the harbour and wider town.

With a passion for understanding the history and ecology of our countryside, I have searched my new home of Brixham for the sunken lanes - or holloways - that Devon is known for, as these are rare and precious habitats I love to explore.

 

During the pandemic, an extraordinary slice of nature at the top of Brixham became an escape for me.  Once entered, you quickly lose yourself.  Ancient trees wind and connect forming an arch above the high banks that circle around you.  

 

Amongst the dense banks exist a wide range of rare plant life such as cranesbill or hart’s tongue, whilst closer inspection reveals dark mysterious entrances to the homes of a variety of mammals - creating an intimate connection with nature.

 

As summer turned to winter; leaves fell, and the views that opened up revealed just how much the built up world is encroaching on this rare habitat. I started to realise that in a pandemic, this vanishing slice of nature is symbolic of where we are, because deforestation and the destruction of natural habitats leads to “zoonotic” diseases like Covid-19.

 

The climate crisis is in part our inability to understand that we inhabit and share the same space as every other living thing.  Our home is their home. We inhabit the same space. 

Photography

46x36cm

Framed in a Black Wooden Frame