Small Town Inertia by J.A. Mortram

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The archive comprises:

95 inkjet prints, printed by the artist in 2023
Small Town Inertia Writings; 21 pieces written by J.A. Mortram between 2006 and 2017
The published version of Small Town Inertia
A large framed portrait, printed by Sebastian Edge at the North London Darkroom in 2023

Dates

Creation: 2006-2023

Extent

0.5 Linear metres (4 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. 22734 Photogr. 1].

Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Full range of shelfmarks:

MS. 22734/1; MS. 22734 Photogr. 1-3

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 22734

Additional Description

Abstract

Photographs, writings, audio, and video content from J.A. Mortram's project Small Town Inertia, a documentary study of the impact of austerity on the people living around Dereham in Norfolk.

Biographical / Historical

Jim Mortram is a British social documentary photographer and writer, based in Dereham, Norfolk. He works on an ongoing project called 'Small Town Inertia', in which he uses photography, writing, audio, and film to record the lives of a number of disadvantaged and marginalised people living near to his home. This work is published on his website, in zines published with Cafe Royal Books and in the book Small Town Inertia.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Photographs and documentary material were created between 2006 and 2017. The archive was purchased from Jim Mortram in 2023. New prints were created especially for this archive.

Bibliography

Mortram, J.A., Electric Tears and All Their Portent (Cafe Royal, 2013) [available in Cafe Royal Books: Archive 1 (Cafe Royal, 2015)]
Mortram, J.A., Living with Epilepsy. (Cafe Royal, 2013) [available in Cafe Royal Books: Archive 1 (Cafe Royal, 2015)]
Mortram, J.A., Small Town Inertia: Diary Entries (Cafe Royal, 2013) [available in Cafe Royal Books: Archive 1 (Cafe Royal, 2015)]
Tilney1, Red Neck Land (Cafe Royal, 2013) [available in Cafe Royal Books: Archive 1 (Cafe Royal, 2015)]
Mortram, J.A., Small Town Inertia (Bluecoat, 2017)
Mortram, J.A., Small Town Inertia: Diary Entries 2 (Cafe Royal, 2022) [available in Cafe Royal Books: Archive 6 (Cafe Royal, 2023)]