William Joe Josephs Radford

Country where you live:

United Kingdom

City where you live:

Cheltenham

Website:

https://josephsradford.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/josephsradford

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/JosephsRadfordPhotography/

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephsradford/

Statement :

In Gradient Loss, the artist delves into black-and-white photography, utilizing color filters to manipulate contrast and tonal range, thereby emphasizing shapes and forms. This technique shifts focus from color to structure, allowing composition to convey meaning. Some images, such as the egg and mirror portrait and the headless flower, serve as personal symbols, reflecting the artist's experience of losing a father to a brain tumor. These photographs are deliberate visual metaphors, capturing the emotional weight of absence. In contrast, other works emerge intuitively, guided by feeling rather than symbolism. These images are not anchored to specific memories or narratives but arise organically, shaped by atmosphere, emotion, and subconscious response to the world. This juxtaposition allows both personal and universal themes to coexist, offering space for instinct to guide where words or symbols may fall short.

Quote:

"Pain travels through families until someone is ready to feel it" Stephi Wagner

7th of March 2025 (00:44)

11th of March 2025 (15:13)

18th of March 2025 (15:31)

23rd of March 2025 (00:37)

26th of March 2025 (12:30)

Bio:

William Josephs Radford (b. 1998) is a British-Spanish fine art photographer celebrated for his fearless approach to subject matter and his striking visual language. Born in rural Andalucía to British expatriate parents, Radford’s multicultural upbringing plays a central role in shaping his perspective—one that constantly questions notions of identity, beauty, and societal norms.

Radford’s photography is known for its ability to provoke. He finds aesthetic value in subjects often considered controversial or taboo, crafting images that are as visually seductive as they are thematically unsettling. Recurring motifs such as condoms, crucifixes, and cigarettes serve as bold symbols in his work, inviting reflection on themes of sexuality, spirituality, vice, and cultural contradiction. Through the use of vibrant, saturated colors, Radford lures viewers in—only to confront them with challenging content that demands deeper thought.

After years of mastering this vibrant style, Radford is now entering a bold new chapter of his career: his first foray into black and white photography. This transition represents more than just an aesthetic shift—it marks a deeper exploration of tone, texture, and emotional nuance. By stripping away color, Radford is challenging himself and his audience to focus more intently on composition, symbolism, and the raw essence of his subjects.

A graduate of the University of Gloucestershire in fine art photography, Radford has gained international recognition through his acclaimed series such as Character Building, Deflowered, Cherry Blossom, and Semi-Detached. His work has been featured in Divide Magazine, Al-Tiba9, Contemporary Art Curator, and F-Stop Magazine, among others. He has exhibited widely across Europe and beyond, with recent shows in Paris, Berlin, Florence, Barcelona, and Bangkok.

Radford’s accolades include being named Conceptual Photographer of the Year by the 1839 Awards, and earning finalist placements and honors from the Boynes Artist Award, Refocus Awards, NYC4PA, Art Collide, and Beautiful Bizarre. His photography continues to push boundaries—technically, conceptually, and emotionally—cementing his place as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary art photography today.