Two years ago photographer Jo Metson Scott met Hamish and she’s been following his progress ever since. Hamish is a member of the Elite Great British Gymnastic squad. He is one of the country’s top athletes; dedicated, focused, muscular, and twelve years old.
Through her work Jo has documented Hamish’s life and the graft needed to make is as an elite gymnast have shaped every single aspect of his life.
“Hamish’s command of movement makes his body seem powerful and weightless and it is easy to forget that he is still a child. He spends more time in the gym than he does at school,” says Jo. “His training partners are his closest friends but also his competitors. They depend on each other immensely, both physically and emotionally, but ultimately they will end up competing against each other and there will only ever be one winner.”
Bestowing an empathetic awareness of the strength and vulnerability central to Hamish’ life, Jo uses muted colour tones and soft blurred shapes to accentuate the beauty and control of the young gymnasts’ bodies.
With the London Olympics approaching it is a timely exploration of a life dedicated to becoming an elite athlete. The journey to compete in the Olympic games starts many years before the competition.
Gym Boy will be exhibited at B store, kingly Street, London until 26 August.
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