Unlike the Venice that Wagner experienced, it's well-known that the city today is, sadly, rife with "vulgar commercialism" and a level of almost oppressive tourism that it needs in order to sustain its existence; the grandeur, beauty and decline he first witnessed remain, however it is rare, as a consequence, to experience the solitude that he did. But it is possible: early mornings and late evenings during late autumn and winter, avoiding the colourful chaos of Carnevale, provide periods of quiet calm, during which the essential character of this ancient city emerges.

Although I have lived all my life in the UK, Veneto is the region of my birth and the home of my maternal family. My introduction to, and enduring love of Venice was kindled by a professional artist uncle of some repute, taking me away from the tourist haunts and showing me the Venice of the residents, contrasting it with the one perpetually pored over by the transient crowds. But, despite many visits during family holidays over the years, it is only relatively recently that I have been able to look at La Serenissima as a photographer. 

"Serenissima" represents a small project that captures images made during a single trip that combine immediately recognisable subjects with others that are "off the beaten track", a selection of which are displayed here and presented in a book accompanying the project. The intention is to convey a vision of the city as seen by its natives and residents, attempting to capture the beauty behind the gradual, but unrelenting erosion that is its sad fate. The minimalist, monochrome style is deliberately chosen to convey a sense of quiet, calm reflection as a counterpoint to the busy, chaotic almost claustrophobic vision of Venice that tends to be the norm.