Al Higgins is a photographer who is based in Dublin and works internationally. Al graduated from NCAD in 2009 and has since been working as a photographer producing commercial and editorial work including portraiture, landscapes, still lifes and food and drink culture.
Where did you spend lockdown?
I spent lockdown in our little house in Stoneybatter, Dublin 7.
Did you have access to a studio during this time? If not, how did you continue to create work?
I have my home office and access to most of my equipment. I’m able to set up a small studio in my small living room, though it wasn’t the most convenient.
Can you talk through your art making process?
I usually begin with quite a lot of research and references before starting anything, to build a visual guide to help shape the final work. I really enjoy collaborating with others when making work, which was very difficult over the past few months.
The scope of my work varies quite a lot, sometimes it’s outdoors working with the environments we have, other times it’s setting up in a studio space creating everything from the ground up. Not being able to access either of these was quite tough.
Did you experiment with any new materials or methodologies?
Not especially – I spent some time testing technical lighting in my studio set up, but it was more so refining previous methods than trying new ways.
Given the limitations and restrictions of the last few months, did your art making process change at all? If so, do you think this will continue to change how you will make art going forward?
I found the last few months quite difficult, creatively. I’m very motivated by people and place and I’m really looking forward to getting back to that with a renewed appreciation.
Did you have any projects during this time that went ahead?
I was able to prepare some projects for the future, which will make life easier, but for the most part, everything was locked down pretty tight!
Do you have any upcoming projects?
Yes! Thankfully. I have quite a few commissioned projects at the other side of this, though I will have to delay my next personal project with the fallout of the pandemic in the US – I’m not sure when it’ll be safe to travel at the moment and I don’t know what approach I’ll have to take when it is safe.
All photographs were provided by alhigginsphotography.com. To see more of Al’s work visit his website and Instagram.