Celebrating Talent in our Community
Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society, one of photography's highest honours awarded to Mike Hawkridge.
Mike, who lives in Sidmouth and has been a friend of Sidmouth School of Art from the beginning, giving his time as a volunteer and collaborating with us on various projects, received his FRPS award on 14 May for an extraordinary body of work documenting life on the London Underground.
His project focused on something we all take for granted - those everyday moments when tube train doors open and we glimpse the lives of fellow passengers. Over several years of London visits, Mike captured 21 compelling images showing the changing rhythm of the Victoria Line throughout the day.
"I was aiming to capture candid observations at different Victoria Line stations," Mike told us. "I wanted each image to depict a slice of life, unwittingly portrayed by the people standing in the train doorways."
What makes this work particularly striking is how it traces London's daily pulse - from the quiet early morning commute through the chaos of rush hour to the late evening when, as Mike puts it, "anything goes."
Working within Transport for London's strict 15-minute photography limit at each location, Mike had to be both patient and strategic. His innovative presentation matched the subject perfectly - displaying all 21 images in an 18-foot line to mimic an actual underground train with open doors.
"I have always been passionate about my photography and am absolutely thrilled to have been awarded a Fellowship," said Mike. "It's a great honour."
The RPS Fellowship is no easy achievement. It requires demonstrating exceptional technical skill, distinctive vision, and a cohesive body of work that tells a compelling story. Mike's submission was assessed in the Contemporary Photography category - fitting recognition for work that captures the essence of modern urban life.
We couldn't be more proud of Mike's achievement, and we look forward to continuing our collaborations with such a talented photographer in our community.