Class of 2021: Jack Fieldhouse is the Middlesex grad capturing his version of the Class of ‘86
This is A HOT MINUTE WITH, a quick-fire interview series championing all the rising talent catapulting into fashion, art and music’s fickle stratosphere. From pinch-me moments to bad dates and even worse chat-up lines, think of it as an overindulgent conversation – like the ones you have in sticky club toilets at 4.A.M. Except these guests don’t regret the overshare…
Inspired by familial ties and self-identity over lockdown, Jack Fieldhouse’s final photography project, Class of ’86, explores his parents’ university experience through the medium of self-portraiture.
Filter by EMILY JANE SCOTT x CHECK-OUT
NAME JACK FIELDHOUSE
AGE 21
LOCATION London, England
COURSE BA Photography
UNIVERSITY Middlesex University London
STAR SIGN Libra
Jeffrey Thomson: Hey Jack. Tell us about your final project. What was the inspiration behind it?
Jack Fieldhouse: Class of ‘86 is a self-portrait take on my parents’ university experience. They met whilst studying at Sunderland University and so I thought it would be fitting to consider their individual selves amongst a group of their peers. The inspiration came from a previous project where I considered my identity against that of my mothers. I did this as I’ve always been compared in looks and mannerisms to my mum my whole life. Moving home during the first lockdown lead me to further consider my familial ties and how I might explore them next. I was mentored by GUIA BESANA for a short period over the summer of 2020 and she also gave me a lot of inspiration with where to take my work in my third year.
JT: How did you find Middlesex University? What was the experience like - was it what you expected or completely different?
JF: I found Middlesex through a university ranking guide. I applied and was fortunate to receive an interview and then an offer. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Middlesex and I am sad to go. I didn’t expect to be able to study and experiment with the wide array of photography subjects and techniques that I have. I think it would be obvious to point out how no one could’ve expected the last year to have gone and so I did not expect my third year of university to go that way either. Despite that though I’ve had an amazing time on my course and I’m so thankful for what I have got to experience.
JT: Did you always know you wanted to study here? What was your journey to Middlesex like?
JF: I originally planned to study architecture and it was on a visit to Huddersfield to visit an open day that I realised photography was a viable option for a course and career. I’ve been interested in photography since I was 15 and my parents gave me my first camera. I’d been practising with it in my free time and eventually in A Level Art & Design, but I’d never considered studying at university until I saw first hand how I could. After realising this, I began researching other universities and after visiting a couple of others I found Middlesex and knew I’d found the right course for me.
JT: When looking back on your first project and now to your final one, what springs to mind?
JF: My first project at university was my first time using an analogue camera, it was also the second camera I’d ever used. Since then I’ve gone on to use an array of analogue cameras including medium format, large format and Super 8. I work almost exclusively in these mediums now and so it’s sometimes weird to think I only first picked up an analogue camera less than three years ago.
JT: What’s the biggest misconception about studying a creative degree?
JF: I’d say with photography it’s people’s lack of imagination for the uses of photography. I think it’s very easy to think about how anyone can take a picture with their smartphone; however, I would always hasten to remind people who say things like that to remember the roles that professional photography plays in every industry. I try to remind people of every ad they’ve ever seen, every poster, flyer, trailer and website. I remind them of the nice pictures on their food items and their book covers. It’s an easy thing to overlook when photography is all around us, all the time, but every image we see around us was taken by somebody.
JT: If you could go back, would you have done anything different?
JF: If I could go back I’d want to have spent even more time researching my project and curating the characters. These are the things I want to work on moving forward with my projects. From the advice I’ve received from tutors and mentors, I believe that strengthening these aspects will make my projects all the more successful.
JT: What advice would you give to those thinking about studying a creative degree? Is a formal education for everyone?
JF: I would advise those seeking to study any creative degree to prepare themselves to fight for their voice and their vision. If you want others to believe in you and your work, you must first do so yourself. I think that formal education was always the route I wanted to take. I don’t believe it’s for everyone, but I will always recommend that everyone should try it.
JT: The best thing about studying in London?
JF: The city live, the cultural opportunities, the liveliness, the galleries, the food, the parks, I could go on forever…
JT: And the worst?
JF: The price of any alcoholic beverage in a venue.
JT: When you’re rushing towards a deadline, what keeps you going?
JF: Knowing how satisfied I will be when it’s compete and knowing I can then be proud of what I have done.
JT: How are you celebrating post-graduation life?
JF: I’ve been seeing my friends as much as I can now that restrictions are lifting and I have the time too. I’m seeing my family too for the first time in a while and simply enjoying my time off now.
JT: And lastly, what does fashion mean to you?
JF: To me fashion is how each of us expresses our identities through what we wear. I think that each person takes it as seriously as they like, but we are all impacted by it, adhere to it and observe it every day.
See more from Check-Out’s Class of 2021 here.