Graeme Obree

Graeme Obree shot to fame in 1993, when he broke the world record for the furthest distance cycled in one hour. He did this as a virtual unknown amateur, without a professional coach, team doctor or major sponsorship – an crucially on what amounted to a home-made bike.   This photograph was commissioned by East Ayrshire Council for it's 'Ayrshire Innovators' exhibition in 2009. The artist Kieran Dodds’ recent work as a photojournalist based in Glasgow has led to numerous nominations and awards, and a strong portfolio of images. His portraits of individuals set in context in their own environments are highly distinctive, and it was this that made his proposal so relevant to the theme of the exhibition. Kieran’s large scale and dramatic photographic portraits take a fresh look at some well-known faces from Ayrshire, as well as unearthing stories behind those who impact on their community and beyond. Prior to working full-time as a photographer, Kieran studied Zoology at the University of Aberdeen. In 2006 he was awarded an Emerging Photojournalist Scholarship at the University of Missouri in the USA, and in the same year received 1st prize for Nature Stories at the World Press Photo Awards.