Ongoing art exhibition at the trust – ‘ENVIRONmental’

We are currently showcasing ‘ENVIRONmental’, the latest art exhibition by Russian-born artist and conceptual photographer Aleks Faust. It is a thought-provoking series that captures objects discarded on the streets of London. Through his lens, Faust uncovers a narrative beyond mere documentation of urban debris.

Faust explained how the idea of this exhibition emerged. “Initially, I was doing a series of street photography related to discarded objects found in the streets of London. I started noticing similarities in the way people discard them. The name Environmental (alternatively spelt ENVIRONmental) also hints at another theme I’m exploring through my work, which is the mental aspect.”

He continued to state his interest in “why people get rid of these things, how they do it, and what the story is behind [them]. The thought process behind it often reflects the way people deal with negative emotions and their mental health issues. I see patterns connecting the objects I find in the streets and society’s mental (intellectual, if you like) level of awareness. I never alter anything, and I don’t even touch the objects. They are photographed the way I find them.”

“Rubbish will always be around” Faust commented. “I noticed that the way people discard it here is different from in other cities. We need to be aware of what we buy and ask ourselves if we really need the things we own. The rubbish in the streets is just a reflection of our consumerism, which I think is the real problem here.”

Faust is an emerging photographer with a background in Fashion Photography from the London College of Fashion. Graduating with an MA in 2022, Faust found himself at a crossroads, reconsidering the trajectory of his work.

“Throughout the [MA] course, I re-evaluated everything I had been doing before. I realised that when I did fashion or event photography, I often just copied someone else’s work instead of expressing myself through it. So, I decided to develop my skills and artistic practice and focused on conceptual street photography.”

One of the most striking aspects of Faust’s methodology is his commitment to authenticity. “I never alter anything, and I don’t even touch the objects. They are photographed the way I find them,” he emphasizes. This approach ensures that each photograph remains a true representation of the scene, untainted by the artist’s intervention. The raw and unfiltered nature of his work invites viewers to confront the reality of urban waste and its implications.

This summer, Faust’s work is featured in three prestigious group exhibitions. One at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, another at Somerset House, where he is presenting a collage made for the London College of Fashion, and a group show in Kazakhstan. These platforms will provide an opportunity for him to showcase his evolving artistic practice to a wider audience. Additionally, he is currently working on his most ambitious project to date—a photo book that promises to further explore the themes introduced in ‘ENVIRONmental’.

Environmental runs until 31st July, Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm