Jon Baker: Mother’s Medal (Blacked), Photofusion

This month Photofusion Gallery, London unveils a new exhibition showcasing emerging photographer, Jon Baker’s latest project.
Jon Baker photography
Jon Baker shoots on 5x4 film, creating dramatic large-scale images through cross processing. He is a recent graduate of Chelsea College of Arts, London, was shortlisted by the Caitlin Guide 2015 and longlisted for the Saatchi New Sensations prize 2014. This exhibition – his first solo show – will be a landmark in his career.
Photofusion gallery exhibition 2015
The title Mother’s Medal (Blacked) refers to those medals awarded by the Nazi Party to German women who gave birth to four or more children, in recognition of their contribution to expanding the Aryan race.
In photographing one such medal (albeit not a real one) Baker explores a mother’s love for her and her party. Interestingly after 1945 it became illegal to display these medals and some owners attempted to file off the swastika in an effort to separate achievement from ideology. Baker believes that art should be critical of society and describes these compositions as “a warning against power.”
Looking around London photography galleries this spring, Jon Baker’s first solo show is worth a peek.