Architecture + Beauty is the second monograph by John Balsom combining the artist’s main interests of history, documentary, casting and in the photographer’s words, ‘graphicness.’ These concepts are explored through four distinct sections of the book focusing on pictures he took of public diving boards in New South Wales, Australia, The STS Kruzenshtern—a German ship that was surrendered to the USSR in 1946 as a war reparation, the MV Paul R. Tregurtha—the longest ship operating on the Great Lakes complex, and the Lusophony Games—the multinational, multisport event for athletes from Portuguese-speaking nation.
Originally trained in graphic design at Central Saint Martins, John Balsom later elected to pursue a career in photography. Firstly assisting renowned British portrait photographer Julian Broad and then using this experience to begin shooting independently, he was notably discovered when he exhibited some of his early work at the Hyeres photography festival in the South of France. Balsom has published work in numerous publications including editorial titles such as Numéro Homme, GQ Style, GQ China, LUomo Vogue, Vogue Japan, Harpers Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Man of the World and At Large magazine. His commercial clients include Armani, Montblanc, Hugo Boss, Bulgari, Burberry, Dunhill, Mr Porter, Louis Vuitton, McQueen, Piaget, Vilebrequin, Soho House, Ralph Lauren, Nike, Adidas and Jimmy Choo. Balsom continues to shoot personal documentary projects and regularly travels between his twin bases in Europe and New York.
