On the morning of 19 October last year, as I stood behind my table for the first time at the BOP (Bristol Photobook Fair), I was wondering whether the whole ‘raft’ enterprise was a dreadful mistake. As soon as the fair opened though I was reassured as my friends and peers came by to have a look, none more curious than Martin Parr. He enthused, requested a copy for the Foundation, made sure it was going to be for sale at their bookshop, and wondered aloud whether I now held the world record for a photography book made over the shortest period of time!
A few weeks later we were all rocked and shocked by his sudden death. Just a week after that I received an email from a friend suggesting I look at the Lens Cultures photography books of the year – and lo and behold Martin had nominated Starlings.
And so too Rachel Barker and Dewi Lewis!
To all of whom, and to those of you who have bought a copy, many many thanks.
This is a seemingly innocent book. Far from being another book about murmurations, Jem lets the scene build up and with a hint of sunset, mixed with a scatter of starlings, turns this into an irresistible book. Jem’s books always sell out, so grab one soon. It is also the first book published by his new company Raft.
- Martin Parr, Photographer
Starlings by Jem Southam transforms a familiar, overlooked bird into a source of wonder, reminding us how extraordinary the everyday can be when we truly look. Southam’s photographs capture the starling murmuration with such quiet intensity that the ordinary world suddenly feels magical again.
- Rachel Barker, Co-Founder and Director, Stanley/Barker Publishers
I have always been a great admirer of Jem Southam’s work, having published his book Red River more than 30 years ago. Jem has now set up his own imprint and Starlings is the first of several titles he has planned. It is a beautiful and extraordinarily peaceful book and, as always with Jem’s work, it is deeply reflective. Photographed in a single afternoon at a wildlife sanctuary in Somerset, he photographs the birds as they fly in to roost from late afternoon onwards, with thousands of the birds filling the sky before they eventually disappear into the gathering darkness.
- Dewi Lewis, Dewi Lewis Publishing
Image: Martin Parr and Jem Southam in the MPF library, Martin Parr Foundation, Bristol, 2018