SUMMARY
Photographer Tom Hicks, known as Black Country Type, is exhibiting 12 images at the Black Country Living Museum, drawn from his book 'Black Country Type II'. His work, characterized by deadpan shots of ordinary subjects with precise composition and lighting, has garnered attention, including a foreword by Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant. Plant described Hicks' work as capturing "the surreal madness and magnificence of our old mothership with a keen eye and quiet wit." Hicks' disciplined approach, reminiscent of New Topographics photographers, emphasizes finding photographic potential in unglamorous subjects with consistent vision.
TAKEAWAYS
Tom Hicks' photography focuses on deadpan shots of everyday subjects with clean composition and precise lighting.
His work is currently featured in an exhibition at the Black Country Living Museum.
Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant is a notable admirer, having written a foreword for Hicks' book.
Hicks' style is compared to New Topographics photographers and Ed Ruscha's documentation of signage.