BA (Hons) Photography

Gabriel Van Ingen is Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for BA (Hons) Photography and BA (Hons) Commercial Photography at Arts University Plymouth. Gabriel is highly experienced educator in the creative arts and an Ambassador for Docking Station, a Netherlands-based photography platform, and was previously Editor at LUMEN magazine of visual art and technology and Director of Nottingham-based artist studios and exhibition space, Secta Studios. His work has been exhibited across the UK and Spain. A PhD candidate with an MA in Photography from De Montfort University and a BA (Hons) degree in Photography from Nottingham Trent University, prior to his appointment at Arts University Plymouth, Gabriel acted as Course Leader for BA (Hons) Creative Practice at Derby College. Gabriel’s creative practice has a strong experimental focus, utilising a range of historical techniques and emerging technologies. Areas of special interest for Gabriel include using his practice to reconcile our relationship with the sea and a sense of disconnection between the longing towards a poeticised view of the sea, and our growing understanding of the environmental impact of human-induced environmental change and the strategic appropriation of our oceans. In 2013 Gabriel was commissioned by the Djanogly Gallery Nottingham to hand print black-and-white prints from negatives by British Photographer Roger Mayne for the exhibition Saturday Night Sunday Morning: The authentic moment in British photography, and in 2011 he was Artist-in-Residence for the Nottingham CAMRA Festival. With wide-ranging experience of working in Higher Education and international foundation creative programmes, Gabriel has also taught for over fifteen years, at institutions including Nottingham Trent University, University Centre Stamford, Nottingham Trent International College, Rotherham College and Peterborough Regional College.

Identity and culture are integral to Martina’s personal photographic practice. Her most recent work examines how DNA information, combined with family archives, can be used to unlock hidden narratives. Working with this information helps her to explore topics such as familial disconnect, the historical diaspora of many Irish people from their homeland, personal notions of cultural identity, and the human need to experience a sense of belonging in a global society.

Louise Fago-Ruskin is an artist, writer and lecturer living and working in the South West. She holds an MA in Photography from the University of Brighton, a BA from Plymouth University and a PGCE. Her work examines notions of the unconscious, utilising the camera as a contemporary confessional space. She aims to tackle such themes as ideological manipulation, familial notions of separation and reformation, and performance as reparative action. Her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally in group shows such as The Hyeres Festival of Fashion and Photography (Hyeres, France), Arles Photography Open Salon (Installation, Arles), and Parallax (La Galleria, London). She is currently represented by La Galerie Sakura in Paris. Louise's works have also been nominated for a variety of awards including 'Foam What's Next: A Search into the Future of Photography'. Louise has recently been selected from over 500 artists, writers and historians to take part in the Arquetopia International Mentorship Programme - a highly respected not-for-profit organisation in Puebla, Mexico and has recently published a photographic essay in The Image Journal (edition 103), a literary and arts quarterly edited by Aaron Rosen (" Art and Religion in the 21st Century") and is looking forward to a guest essay in the pending publication The Liminal Loop from The Lutterworth Press.

Jon Blyth has been exploring photography, social enterprise and socially engaged practice since co-establishing Fotonow CIC as a Creative Director in early 2009. Fotonow is based in Plymouth’s Royal William Yard. Their Camper Obscura project has been present at the Photographers Gallery, London, Format International Photography Festival Derby, Diffusion Festival Cardiff and the Brighton Photo Biennial amongst many other national venues and events. A decade’s further exploration of creative learning, social engagement and social enterprise has further led him to collaborations that established St Saviours CIC (2015) in Plymouth and Arts Lab CIC (2018) at Exeter’s Maketank. Jon's advisory roles include the board for Sound Communities CIC, Field Notes CIC, Vital Sparks amongst others. He is Subject Tutor for the MA in Entrepreneurship for Creative Practice programme at Arts University Plymouth. This MA program has supported graduates to establish creative social enterprises in Plymouth such as Community Photographic Studios (2019). Jon has represented Arts University Plymouth at the Social Enterprise World Forum in Glasgow and their involvement in the HEI group associated with Social Enterprise Mark. He is currently a Director at Plymouth Social Enterprise Network and pursues several anti-racism projects.

Tim Gundry is Assistant Dean for Student Experience, responsible for a number of aspects of the cross university curriculum, including enhancement and retention activities and the ongoing development of our employability and enterprise strategy. After obtaining a 1st class, BA (Hons) Photomedia and Design Communication, a distinction in the Professional Qualifying Exam for the British Institute of Professional Photography, and a PGCE from the University of Plymouth, Tim joined the staff team, (at what was then Plymouth College of Art and Design), in 2006 as a part time lecturer. After teaching across different courses in both FE and HE, Tim eventually became programme leader for our undergraduate photography provision in 2013, leading the writing and validation of BA Hons Commercial Photography degree. In 2016 he was awarded the Association of Photographers Tutor of the Year award, and In 2017 he completed an MA in Photography at the college. Tim moved into a cross University role in 2021, before being appointed as Assistant Dean in 2022. Prior to working in education and photography, Tim had a long career in the commercial sector and creative industries. He worked in marketing, branding and advertising on both client and agency side, and before becoming a freelance photographer in 2000, was a director of a Brighton-based design agency. This commercial background and experience has driven Tim’s approach to graduate employability. Passionate about guiding and supporting students to succeed, Tim now manages our Careers and Enterprise function, creating activities that develop the skills and confidence our students need to pursue successful careers in the creative industries. As a member of the Making Learning research group, Tim’s research interests are concerned with Knowledge Exchange and Employability. In addition to enabling students to achieve their potential, Tim is committed to supporting the continued growth and prosperity of the University. He has worked on numerous working groups and committees including Business Development, Academic Standards & Quality, Student Experience & Engagement, and he is currently a member of the Academic Board. Working to develop strategic partnerships that enhance our curriculum, Tim also works on external projects that seek to create revenue for the University through knowledge exchange funding. He joined the Board of Governors in 2022. Tim’s photographic practice is concerned with using photography to explore the social and cultural histories of the South West and how these become inscribed on the landscape. His work has been published and exhibited nationally in the ‘Landscape Photographer of the Year’ awards, and in 2009 was featured in the ‘What Haunts You?’ exhibition at the Photographers’ Gallery in London. Tim’s work can be seen at: www.timgundry.com Outside of the University, Tim is married to Donna (who also works at the University as the Head of Library Services). They have a young son and time away from work is spent walking, kayaking and body-boarding in their home county of Cornwall.