John Blakemore Archive

This archive represents a unique collection of over 1400 pieces relating to the life and work of one of Britain's most important photographers from photographs made in Libya in 1956 through to large colour works exhibited in 2002 and the rich selection of hand-made books made between in 1984 and 2009. Blakemore initially worked as a freelancer and then evolved to become a leading landscape photographer. He worked in diverse areas from documentary, through portraiture to still life, with a particular focus in more recent years on tulips as symbols of sensuality and elegance. Blakemore is celebrated for the detail, texture and tonal richness of his work. Birmingham also holds the Paul Hill archive, ArtFunded in 2005 and the Library can now document, display and disseminate knowledge about the rise of independent photography in Britain in the 1970s.