DOCUMENTARY PRINCE
A dramatic and humorous study of a man called Prince, exploring visual and written narrative through the medium of the Photobook and Blog.
Known as Prince, John Alden Davies, has been recognised by this namesake for most of his life. By his friends, his family, and by all that have met him, and although, to him this was simply a name, to a boy (the artist) with little knowledge or care in the world, this was colossal. To him, his father was royalty, although not like Prince Charles, whom was a man married to a Princess called Diana and peered inanimately from a plate on the dining room wall, but a hero like Prince Adam of Eternia (except without a ‘Battle Cat’, or a sword).
Attempting to reconnect with his curious childhood adulations, Davies began to record this man and his eccentricities through photographic and illustrative story telling, resulting in a colourful and detailed portrait, touching on the age old tales of boy to man, while exploring the physiological and cultural elements that inform the image that should have once been his role model.
" I took him shopping this week. I told him to get what he wanted and I’ll do the food shop. Five minutes he was back and ready to go. He had everything he wanted. 36 cans of Guinness, £12 worth of pick ‘n mix, and a security guard, who was busy telling him he couldn’t smoke in the store". Pearl
Size: 240 x 280mm
Pages: 52 Pages Including Text
and Photographs
Soft Cover Perfect Bound
Edition of 1200
Self Published
Date: October 2015
ISBN: 978-0-9564952-6-6
Price: £10.00
(For international sales please
add another £7.00 for Postage)
Prince, Huw Alden Davies’ first publication explores the lines of photographic and illustrative story telling, using an arrangement of photographs and short texts to create a detailed portrait that forms a dramatic, and often humorous study of the artist’s father, a bi-product of a generation, and his slanted views of the world.
Testimonials
"In essence, ‘Prince’ is a book that will absorb you from start to finish, and leave you wanting more"
EMILY FAULDER / #PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE
November 09, 2016
"If you're lucky,
you just might encounter
something so totally original
that it changes your way of thinking and seeing the world. Tonight I was just that lucky!
I knew when I saw the photographs and captions
that Welsh photographer Huw Alden Davies posted
as resident artist on the Diffusion Festival Instagram
that I was seeing something special.
But tonight as I looked through Huw's published book,
Prince,
I knew I was seeing genius at work.
And I don't use that word lightly.
This book is remarkable in every way.
I just want more".
PATRICIA LAY DORSEY (AMERICAN ARTIST / PHOTOGRAPHER)
December 19, 2015
"Huw’s visual interpretations reflect on this paternal relationship with PRINCE, and they are remarkable for their their honesty and insight into this intense and reciprocated bond. They tell a tale that even the most celebrated social documentary photographer would struggle to put into proper focus.
Huw’s recounting of his renegade youth antics are born from an upbringing in the wild west of Wales, and his hero in the ‘real-life-is-better-than-fiction’ story is the figure of his dad who becomes his muse in these images. Huw seeks to entice us and direct our vision to the core of his story, whilst giving apparently fleeting moments that are in fact carefully conceived messages. Huw’s photographs are always organised, but not contrived. They are carefully balanced compositions using a masterful approach to lighting which underlines his technical prowess, yet this is quietly stated.
Most importantly, PRINCE is a loud proclamation of respect, love and reflection on life. I shall look forward to his future projects on his beloved Tumble".
ROBBIE MATTHEWS (LECTURER OF PHOTOGRAPHY)
ALSO AVAILABLE:
More
October 12, 2017
It was a project that started as a small personal study of one man’s father, but it ended up being so much more.
Photographer Huw Alden Davies has been documenting life through the lens of his home village of Tumble in the Gwendraeth Valley, Carmarthenshire , for the past decade, but two years ago he decided to turn the focus to his flesh and blood - namely his dad John, known to many as Prince.
October 12, 2017
Award-winning documentary photographer Huw Alden Davies speaks with Buzz about his series that captures the eccentricities of his father.
September 25, 2017
We couldn't help but jump on board when Newport, University of Wales MA graduate Huw Alden Davies announced a Kickstarter campaign for his brand new book, Scaffold to the Moon.
October 09, 2017
The Creative Bar By Jon Wilkening - To listen to the audio podcast, mouse over the title and click Play. Open iTunes to download and subscribe to podcasts.
November 01, 2015
Huw Alden Davies Talks to Francesca Donovan about Documenting Tumble and his Publication 'Prince'.
September 30, 2015
Huw Alden Davies talks to Photograd about Photobook - Prince
July 14, 2016
Where Will I Be | Walter Waygood & Huw Alden Davies
15 July 2016 Opening Night of the Exhibition.
Where Will I Be is an exhibition featuring two Welsh photographers, Walter Waygood and Huw Alden Davies, whose work is rooted in the place they come from, the South Wales Valleys, and revolves around their immediate family, friends and a colourful cast of local characters.
