Alys Tomlinson - Ex-Voto - 2019

Edition of 1,000 copies
First impression hardback in sealed, new condition
232x290mm
98 pp, 47 duotone illustrations

Now sold out, 'Ex‑Voto' is Alys Tomlinson’s meditative five‑year study of Catholic pilgrimage, quietly observing pilgrims, landscapes and devotional offerings with a timeless, contemplative gaze—an out‑of‑print work that holds particular resonance for collectors of reflective, documentary photography.


ABOUT THE BOOK:
'Ex‑Voto' is the first monograph by British photographer Alys Tomlinson and the culmination of a five‑year photographic journey to Catholic pilgrimage sites in Ireland, Poland, and France. Working with a large‑format camera, Tomlinson presents an austere and meditative sequence of black‑and‑white portraits, landscapes, and still lifes of devotional offerings left by pilgrims.

Eschewing spectacle, the work focuses on quiet moments of contemplation, rendering its subjects with formality and restraint. The title refers to the votive objects offered in fulfilment of a vow, which serve here as material traces of belief and spiritual devotion. Published to critical acclaim and selected by The Guardian as one of the best photography books of the year, 'Ex‑Voto' is now regarded as a significant work within contemporary documentary photography.

Essays by Dr Rowan Cerys Tomlinson, Professor John Eade and Sean O’Hagan


ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER:
Alys Tomlinson (b. 1975) is a British photographer whose work explores faith, ritual, landscape, and the solemnity of belief. Working primarily with large‑format cameras, Tomlinson is known for her restrained, formal black‑and‑white imagery and carefully structured photographic sequences. She was awarded the Sony World Photographer of the Year in 2018, and her work has been exhibited internationally, including at Somerset House and the National Portrait Gallery, London. 'Ex‑Voto' is her first monograph and is regarded as a significant contribution to contemporary documentary photography.


ABOUT THE PUBLISHER:
GOST Books, founded in London in 2012, is an independent publisher dedicated to contemporary photography and visual culture. Known for its rigorous editorial approach and refined book production, GOST has published numerous critically acclaimed and award‑winning photobooks, often developed in close collaboration with artists. The press has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of 21st‑century photobook publishing, with titles frequently recognised by major institutions, critics, and international awards.