Posted 26 October

(Images: Alice Volk, Untitled) 

For this last week of the festival, as part of our series of interviews, we speak to BPF16 exhibitor Alice Volk, whose enigmatic series of empty chairs are currently on show at The Verdict, café and jazz club. Here she discusses her working process and where she draws inspiration from..

BPF:  Can you tell us a little about your earliest experiences with photography and what drew you to the medium? What images inspired you at that time? 

Alice Volk: My earliest experience with photography was going into the darkroom at school and making photograms and looking at photographers like Man Ray who did experimental work with his images in the darkroom. At the same time as this I was really interested in the bright colours in fashion that Mario Testino captured. I've always liked very contrasting things.

BPF:  How has your relationship with photography evolved since then? 

Alice Volk: My photography is still analogue based, I have since made my own cameras out of wooden cigar boxes and enjoy their more experimental work. I print my work in the darkroom wherever possible and don't see myself ever stopping this.

BPF:  Where do you find inspiration? How do you find your ideas?

Alice Volk: Inspiration and ideas come from everywhere. I carry a notebook for noting them down when they come to mind. To me the best way to explore ideas is by talking about them with others, however small your idea is - it can start moving forward quicker once its out of your head and discussed with others.

BPF:  Can you tell us a little bit more about the work you are exhibiting at Brighton Photo Fringe 2016? 

Alice Volk: My work in the BPF has taken years to come together. Some images started off in one project then it changed direction completely at the beginning of 2016. To me ideas are never still, they are always changing and photography allows me to revisit and develop them.

Alice Volk's exhibition Break is at The Verdict, Edward Street until 31st October, open Monday-Saturday 10:00–16:00, Sunday 12:00–16:00. More details here.