No sense of conflict as student photo selected for exhibition

Leicester College student, Joshua Ewiwile, was far from ‘conflicted’ when he found out that one of his photographs had been selected for inclusion in the FORMAT International Photo Festival.

Joshua is studying for a National Diploma in Art and Design Practice, and after being informed by his teacher about a call to an open exhibition, he submitted his portrait of Sam - a piece created for his 'creative samples' project. The studio portrait was taken on film and then printed in the darkroom using experimental processes.

The photograph was featured in the Young FORMAT25 Open Call exhibition at the FORMAT International Photography Festival, held in Derby to showcase the best photography and lens-based media that represents the theme of ‘CONFLICTED’.

Joshua says: “I’ve been using cameras since I was eight years old and have retained my interest in photography. When my teacher told me about the open call, I took a photo of a classmate and edited it in the darkroom. As the theme of the exhibit was 'conflicted', I thought that the picture, highlighting unravelling threads of fabric, was ideal.”

When the art department visited the Festival in Derby, they saw Joshua's work on display as part of the selected open call.

“My teacher didn't know that I’d been selected, and my classmates were surprised - although the one who actually appeared in the photo wasn't there at the time. It was really nice to get recognition early on,” continued Joshua.