Romanitas

Reviews / Votes

This is a typically intelligent and ruminative major body of work by a highly regarded, established and prolific practitioner. Romanitas is the result of several years of observation resulting in over a hundred understated but eloquent photographs, which are underpinned by salient scholarly texts by respected academics - including the author.
Robin Gillanders, Honorary Fellow, Napier University, Edinburgh. Co-editor, Studies in Photography.

One reason I so admire the works of John Kippin is that he successfully manages the tussle between three distinct elements of a photographic study - the craft and imagination brought to the making of each individual picture; the clear integration and articulation of the social and cultural ideas with a picture; and the deft translation of both these elements in a whole cohesive body of work. In Romanitas he has branched away from much of his previous work, to photograph in black and white rather than in colour, and to take his focus away from Britain, to the neo-classical architecture of post-fascist Italy, and he has done so to produce a remarkable book full of photographs long to dwell over.
Jem Southam, Emeritus Professor, School of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Plymouth

In picturing Rome, John Kippin draws attention to the continuing presence, resonance and symbolic power of fascist architecture and imperial era monuments. As always, a set of astute observations that invite critical reflection.
Liz Wells, Writer/Curator. Emeritus Professor in Photographic Culture, University of Plymouth.