This is Not a Life, It’s Just an Existence
by John Bolloten
John Bolloten is a documentary photographer based in Bradford, UK. His work primarily focuses on documenting people and subcultures that exist on the margins of society. Although, he has worked and continues to work on a number of different projects, it is his five years of work with heroin and crack users that he is best known for. His book “Nothing To See Here” (2017) opened a window into Bradford’s gritty underbelly of drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness and vice. A second book, “Love Story” (2019) was a very intimate reportage into the lives of Gary and Maree, a drug-using couple. The book, “This is Not a Life, It’s Just an Existence”, which covers all his work with drug users and will feature eighteen life stories will be officially launched at Photo North Festival in Leeds in April 2025.
Other books by John include “Bradford Street” (2014), “Belgrade” (2015), “Shabash” (2016), “Field of Broken Dreams” (2018), “Gladiators” (2020), “Margins” (2021), "North Guerillas" (2022), "Words are Weapons" (2023), "Tbilisi Raw" (2023) and "Margins 2" (2024).
John is currently working on a number of long-term projects including bare knuckle fighting, the criminal side of the drugs world, illegal fight clubs and Sunday league football.
John will be returning to the Photo North Festival by popular demand to launch his book This is Not a Life, It’s Just an Existence. The event will feature an exhibition showcasing a selection of images from the book, along with one of his signature captivating talks.
