Achill
Linda Brownlee

Linda Brownlee has been spending her August holidays in Achill amongst family and friends over the last 16 years. Captivated by the texture of its raw and unpredictable landscape, the series presented in Brownlee’s first book Achill, is the result of the photographic explorations she undertook with a group of local teenagers. Photographed in their favourite spots, near their homes or sites chosen by Brownlee, these adolescent figures – resting or only hesitating within the cameraʼs frame – draw the eye into and across the islandʼs contours, revealing the shape of the land through the intimacy of their relationship to it. A tranquillity pervades Brownleeʼs photographs that, despite rain or wind, stems from a sense of belonging. Her careful images capture the moody portrait of a place. ¹

Irish Photographer Linda Brownlee was born in Dublin in 1979. Since moving to London, her portrait, fashion and documentary work has featured regularly in publications such as Dazed & Confused, Vogue, the New York Times, The Guardian and Telegraph magazines. Brownlee’s photos have been exhibited at London’s National Portrait Gallery, the Gallery of Photography in Dublin, the Yinka Shonebare Space, Host Gallery, and the Nottingham Castle Art Gallery. She was recently invited to contribute to the World in London exhibition at the Photographers gallery. Drawn to subcultures and youth culture, Brownlee’s work manages to convey the unique energy of the many people and places she photographs. Her growing collection of relaxed and intimate portraits are suggested through a very natural and subtle composition.

EightyOne Books is Linda Brownlee’s own publishing label.