18 - Alys Tomlinson on Tradition, Identity and Portrait Photography

Alys Tomlinson is a British photographer renowned for her evocative black-and-white imagery. Her acclaimed series Ex-Voto explored Christian pilgrimage sites in France, Ireland, and Poland, documenting the intimate rituals and offerings of pilgrims. Among these portraits, one of the most striking was of Mother Vera, a young nun at Grabarka, Poland. This photograph became central to Alys’s work, inspiring her to delve deeper into Vera’s story. Her subsequent work, Lost Summer, portrays young people in North London dressed in prom attire amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting themes of loss and resilience.

Mother Vera, directed by Alys and Cécile Embleton chronicles Vera’s journey of self-discovery and liberation after two decades in a hidden Orthodox monastery in Belarus. The film retains the contemplative, minimalistic aesthetic of Alys’s photography, with a slow-paced, black-and-white visual style that emphasizes the quiet intensity of monastic life By translating and translates her photographic sensibilities into film. The film captures the emotional and spiritual depth of Vera’s experience, allowing audiences to connect intimately with her story.

The success of Mother Vera, which won the Grierson Award for Best Documentary at the 2024 London Film Festival, highlights Alys's remarkable ability to move seamlessly between still and moving images. Her work demonstrates a consistent focus on faith, ritual, and identity, whether in a single photograph or a feature-length documentary. Through both mediums, she continues to tell stories that explore the profound connections between people, place, and the human experience.

Mother Vera information and screenings 

Alys Tomlinson website

Alys Tomlinson Instagram

Tim Bingham ( Host ) Instagram

Talking Frames Instagram

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