Gong Co — Christian Patterson.. Published by TBW Books & Éditions Images Vevey.
After photographing a Chinese grocery store in Mississippi for several years, Christian Patterson transferred abandoned objects to his studio and photographed them there, like archaeological finds. The result is a complex, multi-layered book that explores the past and lost dreams. Patterson also plays with the book form, giving it a patina of time to reflect the store and its objects. In other hands this might be tacky, but Patterson’s sure hand makes this his third masterpiece in a row.
Gerry Badger is a photographer, architect, and photographic critic. Among his books are The Genius of Photography (2007), and (with Martin Parr), The Photobook: A History (3 vols., 2004, 2006 and 2014). He was recently appointed a Todi Fellow for 2024, and lives in London.