JIM HAYNES

70, Rue Saint Antoine
Paris 75004 France
tel +33 1 4271 2541
e-mail: info@madaboutindia.com

Antonia is London born bred and educated. Sort of. She has had a varied career as Interior Designer, Computer Analyst, Chambres d'Hôtes proprietor, travel guide and writer / photographer and of course mère de famille (she has four children and too many grandchildren.)
She has lived mostly in England and France, with a year in Florence, Italy (1969), two years in Luxembourg (1976-77) and two years in Istanbul, Turkey (1998-99).
France though, has been her adopted country for many years, Paris in the Seventies, the Loire Valley then the Gers (South West France) in the nineties and now she lives in the lively Marais quarter of Paris.
Seven years ago Antonia discovered India, which was the start of a long love affair with that amazing country. Working as a travel guide in Europe from April to October enables her to spend three to four months every Winter in India. She has travelled extensively over this vast country, always returning to Calcutta as her favourite city and place to stay.

The photographs exhibited were mostly taken in Rajasthan, that state of colour and magical light, and they try to capture the warmth and essence of India and her beautiful people. There is nothing fancy about them. They are simple shots relying on a quick and true eye and a sense of the moment.

The flashes of inspiration of an individual moment are the building blocks of change, and it is that constant change which keeps the wheel of elements turning. Nothing stands still. Once we start to understand the nature of this transcience and observe the continual play of light, shadows and colours, we recognise the uniqueness of each individual moment.
Photography is trying to capture one of those moments, and simultaneously the whole picture. It attempts to catch the constantly changing whims in the pulsating relationship between light and shadow.
Photography is the medium for freezing flashes of inspiration.

Joachim Braunwarth, Swiss photographer

This is the philosophy behind Antonia's work. Enjoy!