Jack Currie won gold last Thursday at the annual AOP (Association of Photographers) Awards in the Emerging Talent category. Jack, 23, only signed with Agent-at-Large 1 year ago, so this early win is highly unusual. 

Scott Choucino, Head of Talent at Agent-at-Large said ‘Jack has an extremely rare set of qualities in such a young photographer; his instinct for what makes an engaging image are second to none, but importantly he’s also a great communicator. This combination of innate creative talent and a deeply personable nature lead to genre bending work such as his ‘Gangster Granny’ project. We’re incredibly proud of Jack and can’t wait to see what the future holds for him’. 

“I want people to take my images and create the next chapter in their own heads”

We caught up with Jack to find out more:

How did growing up in Edinburgh affect your vision as a photographer?

Growing up in Scotland, the advertising scene has always tried its best to be a bit quirky and involve some “Scottish patter” whenever it can. Especially with brands like Irn-Bru and quite a few of the Scottish Government campaigns. “Drive like Gran’s in the car” by Road Safety Scotland being one that sticks in my head. The humour of these adverts was always in the back of my mind when making new work after leaving school. 

Growing up, what influenced who you are as an artist or how you see the world?

It’s a classic story! When I was 16, my Dad gave me his old camera from when he was a nerdy hobbyist. He taught me basics like correct exposure and I caught the bug. Probably less run of the mill; my Granny was an artist her whole life. She made beautiful fine art paintings, focusing purely on expression through colours and texture. We often discussed her work and how she couldn’t always describe why she approached subjects as she did, more than it just felt intrinsically right. Having access to an entry level camera while being inspired and surrounded by my Granny’s work and her creative process was a massive boost forwards. 

Have you always been a visual person with creative expression?

Ever since I was a kid I’ve always wanted to work in the creative industries. At age 8 it was acting. I joined every drama group going and auditioned for so many parts. This slowly transitioned into directing, I would gather my friends and make silly short films on the weekends. When I was 16, I got into a BFI film course that ran on weekends so that I could do it alongside school. My stills work was on the side of this, starting as passion projects, but increasingly as bookings too. This gave me the push to study commercial photography at Uni. I used the facilities for as many test shoots as possible to build a portfolio and I got signed by Agent-at-Large a couple months before I graduated. It was a bit of a pinch me moment. 

Can you tell me about your first experiences with photography?

My first experience was when I was 6 years old. I was at a family friend’s wedding and they had baskets of disposable cameras at every table. The camera that my dad was using had 2 shots left in it when he handed it to me. I decided to use these wisely and ended up take a picture of a urinal and a picture up my Dad’s kilt! I spent the rest of the wedding going through every camera and seeing how many shots they had left, then using them all up. I was instantly hooked. (And my up skirting stopped there!)

What role has photography played in your life?  

Photography for me has always been an outlet. I found it very calming to take pictures of what I saw on the walk home from school and edit them once I got back. Now photography has transitioned into somewhere I can express my personality. Making the quirky, playful, humour driven work that I do now is a visualisation of all the stupid ideas that pop into my head. My portfolio goes a long way into understanding my temperament.   

What is it that you work to express through your photography?

I like my work to make people double take, to make people confused, to intrigue them, to make people think “hold on, is that photoshopped or is that Granny actually skateboarding”. My portfolio is a series of mini fictional tales, all with characters or objects that clearly have more stories to tell. I want people to take my images and create the next chapter in their own heads. 

How do you personally access creative inspiration? 

 I’m inspired by every single avenue of life. I naturally, subconsciously am always seeing ideas. Sometimes it’s overwhelming, the sheer volume. Very rarely will I find an idea while looking through other creative mediums. Most of my inspiration is from real life; I’ll see an individual walk past me on the street, hear a story about a friend of a friend, see a perspective I don’t usually see. I’ve got a naturally playful, quirky approach, so all I need is a proper character, but someone’s who is real and relatable, and I’ll do the rest. 

Do you have a favourite project? If so, what is it and why? Can you tell us about how this project started?

My favourite project I’ve ever done is called “Gangster Granny” this project involves an elderly lady partaking in various dangerous activities like skateboarding, speeding on a motorbike, smoking from a bong and more. With the use of doubles and a healthy amount of photoshop, I was able to use my own Granny, Margaret, for this series. The image of her skateboarding was clearly the most effective of the bunch, with this being picked up by the IPA, Oneeyeland, Production Paradise, London Art Collective, Portrait of Britain, and most recently I won the AOP Emerging Talent Gold Award with this image. 

This image now means more to me than it ever did, as just a week before I won the AOP award, my Granny Margaret sadly passed away. It is such an honour to be able to carry on her legacy of being an artist in a way that she found so funny. She would show all her friends and tell them it wasn’t photoshopped to see how long she could get one over on them for. With not only the success it’s gained, but the meaning it holds, this project will always have a special place in my heart.  

Where do you see your craft going? Where do you want it to be in 5 years?

In the next 5 years. I see my craft expanding internationally. Spreading my love for finding humour in ordinary things across the world. Whether it’s shooting quirky campaigns or crazy album covers, it’s only going to get bigger and better from here. 

Quick Fire:

1. How many hours of sleep do you need? 

I simply cannot function on less than 9 hours of sleep. 

2. What’s your favourite carb: bread, pasta, rice, or potatoes?

Pasta and it’s not even close. 

3. Favourite day of the week?

Friday of course. 

4. What's for dinner tonight?

Steak night tonight, I make the best steak in Scotland.

5. Have you ever tasted soap?

I have, can’t remember when but I do remember not being overly fond of the flavour. 

6. Ask permission or beg forgiveness?

Beg for forgiveness, Scottish people never ask for permission.

7. Would you rather lose all your hair or gain 50% more hair?

My Dad is bald so might as well be matching. 

8. Ikea: meatballs, hotdog or both?

They are both amazing, but I am a sucker for a hot dog.

9. What size bed do you prefer?

Bigger the better

10. Window or aisle?

Window on a train, aisle on a plane.