Consider the monumental figures have shaped contemporary photography, and few loom as large as Don McCullin (b. 1935). The photojournalist has documented some of the most violent and brutal conflicts of the late 20th century, including Vietnam, Biafra, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Northern Ireland and, more recently, Iraq and Syria. Regardless of location, McCullin has a unique ability to encapsulate the world’s complexities – both its horrors and humanity – in a single shot. Now, a new book from GOST spotlights that artist’s still life photography and landscapes. The Stillness of Life, published to coincide with his 90th birthday, is a more personal offering from an artist often associated with distant countries and conflicts. Several images are labelled as being taken “in my garden shed”, whilst countless others are the rolling hills and bucolic surroundings of his Somerset home, where he has lived for decades.
At first glance, this book is a radical departure from the human-centred approach for which McCullin became known, but a closer look reveals the echoes of his war reportage. The second page features a photograph titled A Winter’s Victim, in which a dead bird lays on the snow with its wings outstretched. Here, we see the world from the photographer’s perspective – it is beautiful, but also cruel and unforgiving. Many landscapes have a sense of foreboding and desolation, as though McCullin were contemplating the aftermath of a battle scene. It almost feels like his infamous Shell-shocked US Marine has just stepped out of frame. One particularly resonant shot, A Small Road to the Somme Battlefields, France, reveals a muddy track that tapers off into the distance. You can’t see the destination, but the audience knows what’s ahead.
It is only on the final page that the reader can fully appreciate where these images fit into his remarkable life and career. McCullin writes: “Over the years going to various wars, this corner of Somerset has saved and restored my sanity and given me a sense of balance just witnessing the change of the seasons and soaking up the enduring peace and silence of the land.” In turning his lens upon moments of quiet reprieve, McCullin finds a crack in the darkness he often found in the world, allowing the light to pour in.
The Stillness of Life is published by GOST Books: gostbooks.com
Words: Emma Jacob
Image Credits:
1. A pear and an apple in my kitchen sink © Don McCullin.
2. Fishermen collecting worms, Hinkley Point, Somerset © Don McCullin.
3. Hadrian’s Wall moments after a snowfall, Northumberland © Don McCullin.
