Staff Profile
Dr Paul Jeff
Lecturer in Photography
I am an experimental photographer and performer who has been working for over 20 years under various pseudonyms culminating in the fictional 'intelligence' unit, IPCRES - International Project Centre for Research into Events and Situations.
Long interesting in what has recently been termed 'fictioning' (O Sullivan/Burrows) or mythopoeisis, the forging of fictional worlds and identities, my professional career began in the 90s with the 'pataphysical photographic duo 'Klanger & Boink' with Elizabeth McDonough. This was overlapped and followed by a long period of creative work in the orbit of seminal Welsh experimental theatre companies 'Brith Gof' and 'Pearson/Brookes' under the mentorship of Director Mike Pearson. It included being a founder member of art and performance trio 'Good Cop Bad Cop' alongside John Rowley (Forced Entertainment, Heiner Goebbels, Brith Gof) and Richard Huw Morgan (Brith Gof). As the shifting collaborative partnership 'Paul+A', I developed a new theory and practice of photography named 'performed photography' (culminating in a PhD), based upon Gilles Deleuze's anti-representational concept of difference and repetition. It is made manifest through the co-evental collapse of live art and photography.
For the last decade I have worked across mediums including writing practices as the Director of IPCRES, alongside Dr Laura Jenkins. Through IPCRES they have developed a non-decisional performative form of photography. At IPCRES events and situations are designed that resonate with the concept of information (both actual and virtual) and 'filed' in the website, ipcres.com
- School – School of the Arts
- Email – p.jeff@yorksj.ac.uk
- Postgraduate Research Supervisor
Further information
Teaching
- Teaching in previous institutions: Swansea Metropolitan University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
- Director of Research Degrees, Art & Design, 2014-19.
- Senior Lecturer, Art & Design, conceptual and theoretical perspectives, 2014-19.
- Programme Director, MA Art & Design Portfolio, 2005-2014.
- Head of Photography, 2001-05.Programme Director, BA (Hons) Photojournalism, 1999-2004.
- Senior Fellow, Higher Education Authority (HEA) 2016.
Research
PhD, University of Wales, 2008. - At/one(mo)ment: Theses on Photography, Time and Performance.
Research supervision:
16 students (9 to completion), 6 as Lead Supervisor (3 are Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships) Includes 2 M.Phils. Topics include, Fine Art/ Photography and Philosophy/ Art & Well-Being/ New Media/ Painting and Drawing/ Collaborative Practices/ Guerrilla Advertising/ Phenomenological Practice/ Cinematography/ Health Sector Design Systems/ Experimental Music. (including a collaborative Fine Art Writing Practice double submission/2 awards)
Research degrees examining (external):
M.Phil in Photography, University of Edinburgh, 2014.
PhD in Photography and Ethics, London Metropolitan University, 2018.
Research degrees examining (internal):
PhD, Fine Art, Painting and Drawing.
Professional activities
External examining:
- Newcastle College, 2017-
- University of Northampton, 2013-17
- London South Bank University, 2010-14
- University of Creative Arts, Maidstone 2009-13
- University of Chester, 2006-2010
- University of the Arts, London, 2003-2008
Course validations:
- External Panel Member, BA (Hons) Photography, Farnborough College of Technology. (University of Surrey) 2019.
- Document Reader, Validation, BA (Hons) Photography, Bucks New University, 2019.
- External Panel Member, Art Subject Area Periodic review. University of Derby, 2014.
- Partnership Panel Member, Masters in Art & Design, Hereford College of Art, 2014.
- External Validator MA Fine Art, Coventry University, 2005.
- External Validator MA Photography, University of Newport, 2002.
Partnership roles:
- Faculty partnership coordinator/moderator for the Hereford Masters in Fine Art, 2013-19.
- Partnership Team Leader for MA Contemporary Craft, Hereford College of Art. 2014-19.
- Partnership Team Leader for MA Fine Art, Hereford College of Art. 2017-19.
- Board of Trustees Ffotogallery/ the Photography Gallery of Wales, 2004-12.
- Founder Member TRAWS Inter-University Research Group into Performance in Wales, 2003-8.
Publications and conferences
Selected exhibitions and performances
Klanger & Boink
Jeff, P. and McDonough, E. 1992. ICI, Fox Talbot Awards, National Portrait Gallery, London. International Photography Awards – nominated and exhibited. Touring, Bradford Museum of Photography, Film and Television. (K&B)
Jeff, P. and McDonough, E. 1992. Klanger & Boink – Works. Solo Exhibition, Saatchi & Saatchi – Advertising Agency, London. (K&B)
Jeff, P. and McDonough, E. 1992. The Desire to Sin Visually, British Fashion Week, Soho, London. Solo Exhibition. (K&B in collaboration with designers Antoni & Alison)
Jeff, P. and McDonough, E. 1993. John Kobal Portrait Awards, National Portrait Gallery, London. Group show. (K&B)
Jeff, P. and McDonough, E. 1996. Apple Tango invites... Levi 501 Gallery, London. Group Show, Selected Photographers – Sponsored by ‘Apple Tango’, (K&B)
Jeff, P. and McDonough, E. 1999. Pop Icons, National Portrait Gallery, London. Commissioned portrait of singer Cerys Matthews. Touring- Bradford Museum of Photography, Film and Television, Royal Museum and Art Gallery, Canterbury. (K&B).
Jeff, P. and McDonough, E. 2002. Stimulata goes to Siberia, Siberia Arts Space, Manhattan, New York. Group show, Touring- Galapagos Gallery, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York. (K&B)
Jeff, P. and McDonough, E. 2003. The Art of Veneer, Body-construct, Live Art Through the Lens. Gallery Raskol Nicov, Dresden, Germany. Group show, Touring - Berlin, Frankfurt. (K&B)
Jeff, P. and McDonough, E. 2004. The Art of Veneer, Espaco Anexo gallery, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Group Show. (K&B)
Jeff, P. and McDonough, E. 2005. The Art of Veneer, ‘The Addition’, Galleria Acbeu, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Group Show. (K&B)
Circle of Brith Gof
Brith Gof. 1996. Sawl Bywyd, National Eisteddfod, Bro Maelor, Wales, 7 day performance in which I simultaneously documented the performance from within and built a theatrical backdrop of photographs (12’x24’) throughout the week.
Pearson/Brookes. 2001. Carrying Lyn. Chapter Arts Centre/City of Cardiff. SiteSpecific performance, Ensemble cast member.
Pearson/Brookes. 2002. Polis. Chapter Arts Centre/City of Cardiff. Site-Specific performance, Ensemble cast member providing a performed photography contribution.
Pearson/Brookes. 2002. Rain Dogs. Chapter Arts Centre/City of Cardiff. Theatrical collaboration with poet and playwright Ed Thomas, Ensemble cast member.
Pearson/Brookes. 2004. “There’s somebody in the House..”, Phoenix Arts Centre, Exeter Univ. Symposium on Site Specific Performance. Site-specific performance. Ensemble cast member.
Good Cop Bad Cop. 1998. Loop. Arnolfini Arts Centre, Bristol. Site-specific performance, Holiday Inn Hotel, Bristol.
Good Cop Bad Cop. 2001. Sub-Rural Incursions. Experimentica Festival, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. Site-specific performance.
Good Cop Bad Cop. 2006. Left Footers. Strata Florida/Kells International Sculpture Festival. Wales and Ireland. Mobile sculptural performance in collaboration with Richard Huw Morgan.
Paul+A
Jeff, P. and Dillon, T. 2002. The Drifting Document. In: Locws International Arts Biennale, Swansea. 24hr. Performed photography work on the streets of Swansea. (Paul+A).
Jeff, P. and Dillon, T. 2003. The Madeleine Project. In: ‘Practice as Research in Performance’ conference, Bristol University. Performance/presentation (Paul+A)
Jeff, P. and Dillon, T. 2003. Enduring Love. In: the proceedings of Experimentica International Performance Festival, Cardiff. G39 Gallery, performance installation. (Paul+A)
Jeff, P. and Dowling, S. 2004. Life is Perfect. Peterstone Court Hotel, Brecon. 24 hr. Hotel performance, (unwitnessed performed photography). Funded By The Arts Council of Wales. (Paul+A).
Jeff, P. and Dowling, S. 2004. Life is Perfect. In: the proceedings of Experimentica International Performance Festival, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. Theatrical stage performance. (Paul+A)
Jeff, P. 2006. Life is Perfect. In: the proceedings of FotoFreo 06: International Photography Festival, Freemantle Australia – Festival projection and public lecture on ‘performed photography’ given with Australian photographer Robert McFarlane. (Paul+A)
Jeff, P. 2006. More Beautiful Than God. In: 1+1=3. Contemporary British Portraiture, Fotofreo festival, Fremantle, Australia. Selected group exhibition, curated by Susan Bright. (Paul+A).
Jeff, P. 2007. More Beautiful Than God. In: 1+1=3. Contemporary British Portraiture, Australian Centre for Photography, Sydney. (Paul+A).
Jeff, P, Sanchez, M. Contini, E. 2007. I Watched Her Until She Disappeared. Curfew Tower, Cushendall, N.Ireland. 7 day durational work in protest at the abductions and murders of young Mexican women in Juarez, Mexico. Funded by the Arts Council of Wales and ‘In You We Trust’. (Paul+A)
Jeff, P. and Sanchez, M. 2008. I Watched Her until She Disappeared. University of Chihuahua, Mexico. Installation/exhibition of the originating work. (Paul+A).
Jeff, P. Sanchez, M. 2008. I Watched Her until She Disappeared, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. Audio Visual performance showing for 3 evenings to accompany an International women’s theatre conference and workshop by The Magdalena Project. – (Paul+A)
IPCRES
Jeff, P. et al, 2009, Conversion of Essence into Series. Performative visual arts project with SMU art and design students. 18 thetic events staged over 6 months based on Vermeer’s painting The Girl with the Pearl Earring. Swansea, Amsterdam, The Hague. (IPCRES)
Jeff, P. and Jenkins, L. 2010, The Conversion of Essence into Series: A Dance of Repetition from Vermeer to Leibniz. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Deleuze Studies Conference, Amsterdam: Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis, Joint ‘performed’ Paper. (IPCRES)
Jeff, P. and Jenkins, L. 2011, The Protest against Progress. In: Proceedings of the 4th International Deleuze Studies Conference, Copenhagen: Copenhagen Business School. Joint Paper/special event. (IPCRES)
Jeff, P. and Jenkins, L. 2012, The Conversion of Essence into Series. In: Performance Research journal: (issue 17.5) ‘On Duration’ Ed. by Prof Ed Scheer, Univ. of New SouthWales,Australia. (IPCRES)
Jeff, P. and Jenkins, L. 2012, IPCRES Reading Ensemble. In: Proceedings of BOOK LIVE! International Book Symposium, London South Bank University.
Jeff, P. and Jenkins, L. 2014. Coupled, In Proceedings of Double Dialogues conference – Precursors into the Future. Hosted, Cardiff University, Cardiff. Organised by Double Dialogues periodical, Deakin University, Australia. (IPCRES)
Jeff, P. and Jenkins, L. 2017. The Buzzing Machine, contribution to AHRC Funded and ACW Funded Project (P.I. Liggins, A.) International Art/Science Project on Insect Cross Pollination. (IPCRES).
Publications and conferences continued
Selected publications and conferences
Jeff, P. and McDonough, E. 1992. The Desire to Sin Visually. In: ICI Photography Awards 1992. Ed. Fell, P. Exhibition Publication, Published by National Museum of Photography, Film and Television. P. 19. ISBN 0-948489-11-1 (K&B)
Jeff, P. and McDonough, E. 1999. Icons of Pop. pp. 8, 108-9. Exhibition Publication, Published by Booth-Clibborn Editions/National Portrait Gallery. ISBN 1-86154-150-3 (K&B)
Jeff, P. 2000. More Beautiful Than God. In: West. 4 pages, Exhibition Publication, published by Ffotogallery Wales. ISBN 1-872771-75-0 (Paul+A)
Jeff, P. and Pearson, M. 2001. Pearson/Brookes: Carrying Lynn, pp. 23, Performance Research Journal, Vol. 6, Issue 3. Ed. Ric Alsopp and David Williams.
Jeff, P. 2002. More Beautiful Than God. In: Source, Issue 32, pp. 4-10. Photography periodical, Belfast. (Paul+A)
Jeff, P. 2003. Space: The Final Frontier. Introductory essay in: Reception, photography monograph, Bobby, Peter. Published by Ffotogallery & Mission Gallery. Cardiff. ISBN1-872771-26-2.
Jeff, P. 2005. Life is Perfect. In: Source, Issue 44, pp. 10-19. Photography periodical, Belfast. (Paul+A)
Jeff, P. and Pearson, M. 2005. TRAWS, In: Performance Studies International 11: ‘Becoming Uncomfortable’. Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Joint paper.
Jeff, P. 2006. Life is Perfect. FotoFreo 06: Freemantle Australia. International Photography Festival, Festival projection and talk given with Australian photographer Robert McFarlane. (Paul+A)
Jeff, P. 2007. Angus McBean. National Gallery of Wales, Cardiff. Public Lecture for the Summer exhibition.
Jeff, P. 2007. Performed Photography: A Practice. In: Unfolding the Cards: Art, Aesthetics and Education. The Institute for Educational Research, University of Oslo, Norway. Symposium paper + projections. (Paul+A)
Jeff, P. 2008. Performed Photography: The Map is not the Terrain. In: Fictions. Eds. Wells, L. and Standing, S. pp. 60-73. UPP, Plymouth ISBN978-1-84102-193-5.
Jeff, P. Life Is Perfect. In: Pearson, M. 2010 Site-Specific Performance, pp: 183-6 (also 40-1, 77,96,162), London, Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 0230576710 (Paul+A)
Jeff, P. Life Is Perfect. In: Bright, S. 2010 Auto Focus: Self-Portraiture in Contemporary Photography, pp: 192-5 (183), London, Thames & Hudson. ISBN 978-0-500-54389-4 (Paul+A)
Jeff, P. and Jenkins, L. 2010, The Conversion of Essence into Series: A Dance of Repetition from Vermeer to Leibniz. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Deleuze Studies Conference, Amsterdam: Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis. Joint ‘performed’ Paper. (IPCRES)
Jeff, P. and Jenkins, L. 2011. Protest Against Progress. In: Proceedings of the 4th International Deleuze Studies Conference, Copenhagen Business School. Joint Paper/special event. (IPCRES)
Jeff, P. and Jenkins, L. 2012, The Conversion of Essence into Series. In: Performance Research journal: (issue 17.5) ‘On Duration’ Ed. by Prof Ed Scheer, Univ. of New South Wales, Australia. Creative paper. (IPCRES)
Jeff, P. and Jenkins, L. 2013. IPCRES Reading Ensemble. In: The Book is Alive! Eds. Waeckerle, E. and Sawdon Smith, R. Published by RGAP, Manchester. pp. 168-171, 197. creative paper. ISBN 978-0-9569024-5-0
Jeff, P. 2017, The Art of Information – Creativity in the age of information. Keynote Paper in: Wales Nexus Conference, Annual Learning and Teaching Conference, University of Wales, Swansea.
Book (near to completion)
'Six Memos For Future Photographers'.
The book is a bricolage of performative writings comprising an introductory essay and six memos. The memos, through an imaginative reworking of 6 classical photographic binaries attempt to produce new ground for future modes of communication through a process of superposition. Each one interrogating the interface between the concepts of the distinct and the obscure via its stated content; i.e. instant and duration. A close photographic reading of Maurice Blanchot's novel, 'Thomas the Obscure', facilitates this. The aim is to re-invent (photographic) communication as an image of resistance rather than one of transparent complicity.
