The Aura of Boxing

copied from another site all info comes by way of nottingham post thanks .


NEVER-seen-before photographs of Nottingham boxer Carl Froch will be featured at an exhibition.
Head of photography at Nottingham Trent University, Max Kandhola, has been following and documenting three British boxers since 1996.
He is now showcasing his work at an exhibition called “The Aura of Boxing”, which will launch on Friday, January 31, at the New Art Exchange, in Hyson Green.
Mr Kandhola’s work focuses on the behind-the-scenes aspect of boxing, capturing the preparation and intense training the boxers undertake at the gym, rather than the fights.
Mr Kandhola, 51, who lives in Birmingham, said: “I was inspired by a passion for boxing and the politics behind it. It was a fascination and it was an escapism at a time when my father was receiving chemotherapy for cancer. I used to go and observe local boxers and take pictures of them.
“The most intimate and private moments a boxer has is at the gym. It is quite a sacred place and it is not until you embed yourself in it that you realise the discipline they have, which is fundamental to their training.”
The photographs at the exhibition will mainly feature boxers Howard Clarke, Julius Francis and Robert McCracken - Carl Froch’s trainer.
It will also include pictures taken of Carl Froch before his fight with George Groves last November.
Mr Kandhola added: “It was good working with Carl. All the boxers I have worked with have been very humble, and Carl is no different. I would like to make a short art based documentary about him in the future.”
The black and white images Mr Kandhola took as part of ‘The Aura of Boxing’ will be on show at the New Art Exchange from February 1 to April 21.
Other images will be shown in Derby and London later in spring.
The photography lecturer added: “I can’t wait for the exhibition, it has been a long journey. A lot of my students have assisted me with my book and are excited to see the exhibition.”
Signed copies of Mr Kandhola’s book, also named The Aura of Boxing, will be available for purchase at the exhibition.
Skinder Hundal, chief executive at New Art Exchange, said: “Although boxing is often seen as brutal, Max perceptively captures the grace and discipline central to their performance, and shares their quiet moments of reflection and vulnerability.
“We are really delighted to be presenting such an extensive body of work that has been meticulously generated.”
Members of the public are invited to the exhibition’s free launch event on Friday from 6pm to 9pm.
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