Mark Ruwedel is one of the four photographers nominated for this years' Deutsche Borse Photography Foundation Prize. He was born in 1955 and spent a good part of his time photographing in North America exploring how geological, historical and political events leave their marks on the landscape. Merging documentary and conceptual art practices his work concentrates on typologies. This is very much evidenced in his book, Message From the Exterior, published by Mack Books in 2016.

I can relate to his quirky and transient methodology in setting out on a new body of work. His projects, "have developed out of being out and looking at things, thinking I'm interested in one thing and finding a clue that starts my brain going in a different direction."

"Regardless of their intentions, almost all photographs grow up to become documentary photographs." - Mark Ruwedel.

Mark Ruwedel, from the series Desert Houses

Mark Ruwedel, from the series Desert Houses

Mark Ruwedel, from the series Desert Houses

Mark Ruwedel, from the series Desert Houses