‘Futureproof’ is an exhibition profiling the enigmatic work of 4 emerging image-makers whose work gravitates between, and plays upon, the genres of documentary and staged photography. Graduating in 2008 from 3 of Scotland’s photography courses, Victoria Baker, Mike Hunter, Katrina Johnk and Martin Scott Powell variously construct situations and narratives through the use of the figure in real and artificial environments, or in one case through its contrasting absence.

Observing the increasingly blurred lines between the real and the unreal; the obscuring of reality, Hunter’s Army Man Project addresses the growing artificiality of the world surrounding us. Inspired by the “tilt shift” technique used by photographers, Hunter makes large real world landscapes appear as if they are miniature models. In Witness, Powell examines the act of looking and the role of the spectator. The work explores themes of alienation, voyeurism, subjectivity and the relationship between mankind and nature. In The Private Lives of Perfect Strangers, Johnk observes the private and domestic spaces of Edinburgh flats which arouses curiosity about the lives which she has just witnessed. In Surrounding Affection, Baker investigates modernistic volumes of space in an assemblage of images capturing sterile institutional spaces, whose lifeless interiors are enhanced through the use of colour and light.

Futureproof provides a most welcome platform for the outstanding work produced by recent graduates. It is an inspired initiative which represents a significant contribution to the visual arts in Scotland.
David Williams, Head of Photography, Edinburgh College of Art

Scotland has been and still is a power house of creative talent. Historically the step between 'new graduate' to emerging artist is often a short one. This is due to a rich platform of venues, organisations and events which encourage and showcase new and emerging image-makers. Futureproof is an excellent new platform that brings together exciting and challenging new works from dynamic and emerging artists.
Vaughan Judge, Head of Photography, Glasgow School of Art

It is great to see Street Level demonstrate such confidence in the work produced by recently graduating students from Scotland's leading University Photography Programmes. An initiative like Futureproof is an extremely important platform for Scotland’s newly emerging image-makers. I am extremely pleased to see the excellent work by Martin Powell included in such a high quality showcase.
Paul Gray, Programme Leader: Photography and Film, Napier University

A slideshow of the exhibition in-situ together with documentation of the opening.

Victoria Baker


Mike Hunter


Katrina Johnk


Martin Scott Powell