THE CAR

KOS, GREECE, 2024

The Greek island of Kos is a goldmine for artists. It rose to prominence in the 5th century BC as the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine. Over the centuries, Kos has been ruled by various powers, including Persians, Athenians, Romans, and Ottomans. Today, the island enchants visitors with its ancient ruins, medieval architecture, and stunning natural landscapes.

I arrived in the summer of 2024 with a different focus. I wanted to encapsulate the side of Kos most don't see. The not-so-idyllic suburbs of Kos town. 

Among the new hotels and private beaches were half-finished complexes and abandoned buildings. It shows the soft underbelly of Greece. Its economy is based heavily on tourism, meaning the areas away from the attractions are often run-down. 

As an artist and tourist, this intrigued me. I captured the rough edges because they were beautiful. Roughness is character. They weren't possessed with an artificial facade catering to tourists. They showed clues to the true character of the place. It was authentic. 

The challenge was making one frame that encapsulated this. As with many opportunities, the ideal subject was right under my nose. 

The building next to my hotel was abandoned. No windows, graffiti tattooed on the walls, rubble everywhere. It was terrific. To top it off, an old car was flipped upside down, literally next to my hotel. I knew this image would scream: "This is the Kos I saw, this is the Kos I love!".

The best part of this print is the juxtaposition of the white wall and pristine hotel plants against the abandoned car and rubble. It sums up the contrast of the town. The two opposing characters. Affluence and abandonment. 

"I CAPTURED THE ROUGH EDGES BECAUSE THEY WERE BEAUTIFUL. ROUGHNESS HAS CHARACTER. 

–JACOB J. WATSON-HOWLAND

LIMITED EDITION PRINT ENQUIRY