World-class photographer and former Stroud College student , Leo Maguire, makes his film-making debut on Channel 4 this month with 'Gypsy Blood', a powerful documentary which explores the legacy of violence handed down through generations of gypsy fathers to their sons.
The film is being broadcast on Thursday 19 January at 10pm as part of Channel 4's True Stories series, and follows the poignant story of two families from the Irish Traveller and Romany gypsy communities.
Leo discovered photography as a teenager at Stroud College’s School of Art, which he joined in 1999 for a two-year GVNQ course in Advanced Art & Design. He went on to complete a degree in documentary photography at the University of Wales, Newport. During his time there, Leo’s work was recognized with a commendation by the Ian Parry Scholarship. Awarded the accolade of a Getty Images Grant for Editorial Photography in 2007, Leo spent three years gaining unprecedented access to the world of bare-knuckle fighters in Britain’s traveller communities.
Leo was chosen as one of only 12 photographers in the world to attend the 2011 Joop Swart Masterclass, an experience he describes as ‘incredible’ and ‘one of the most important weeks of my life’.
See Leo’s work at www.leomaguire.com. Leo talks about his experience of 2011 Joop Swart Masterclass .
'Gypsy Blood' is currently available to view online at Channel 4's 4OD.
Photo: Leo Maguire
