Adam Turner (b. 1994) is an American photographer based in Kansas City, MO. He holds no formal education in photography and works as an engineer to support his passion for the visual arts. They Used to Nail Catfish to the Telephone Poles, a work in progress, is his first body of work and is primarily inspired by his childhood. Today we take a look at Adams series titled They Used to Nail Catfish to the Telephone Poles. An exploration of recent human presence and lost communication. It relies heavily Adam’s grandfather, a widower, and his recently deceased wife of over fifty years.
They Used to Nail Catfish to the Telephone Poles
As a child growing up in western Missouri, I have distinct memories of trying to fend off the scorching summer heat. If I were lucky, my neighbor would haul his children and I to the local pool for a swim. On the ride to and from, I would see the most absurd thing: there were catfish lining the telephone poles, their jaws held up by nails.
That neighbor loved to torture our little brains. Pointing at the catfish, he would tell us stories of deranged fishermen who wanted only to watch us squirm. The sight of the rotting fish was ominous in its own right, and the wives’ tales drove it over the edge.
Inspired by such tales, this work is an exploration of recent human presence and lost communication. It relies heavily on my grandfather, a widower, and his recently deceased wife of over fifty years.
To view more of Adam’s work please visit his website.