Cage fighter 04
Sam Faulkner’s Cage Fighters series captures fighters immediately after leaving the octagon, raw and unfiltered. Taken in an ad hoc studio set up between the cage and the changing rooms, these portraits strip the fighters of the spectacle, presenting them in the stark aftermath of combat.
Photographed against a plain white backdrop, the images isolate the fighters from the context of the fight. Some meet the camera with defiance, while others are visibly broken, their exhaustion and pain palpable. These are not moments of triumph or defeat—they are something deeper: reflections on the physical and emotional toll of voluntary conflict.
The series delves into themes of masculinity, suffering, and endurance. What compels someone to step willingly into such brutality? Faulkner’s work explores this question without offering easy answers, presenting a nuanced portrayal of resilience and fragility.
Printed on Hahnemühle Fine Art Baryta 325gsm paper, renowned for its vivid colour depth and exquisite detail, these images highlight every bruise, cut, and bead of sweat. The prints are unflinching in their detail, demanding a response from the viewer and provoking questions about humanity’s relationship with violence and endurance.
These compelling works are more than photographs—they are reflections on what it means to be human, captured in moments of intense vulnerability and strength. Bold, evocative, and unvarnished, Cage Fighters is a powerful addition to any collection.
Sam Faulkner’s Cage Fighters series captures fighters immediately after leaving the octagon, raw and unfiltered. Taken in an ad hoc studio set up between the cage and the changing rooms, these portraits strip the fighters of the spectacle, presenting them in the stark aftermath of combat.
Photographed against a plain white backdrop, the images isolate the fighters from the context of the fight. Some meet the camera with defiance, while others are visibly broken, their exhaustion and pain palpable. These are not moments of triumph or defeat—they are something deeper: reflections on the physical and emotional toll of voluntary conflict.
The series delves into themes of masculinity, suffering, and endurance. What compels someone to step willingly into such brutality? Faulkner’s work explores this question without offering easy answers, presenting a nuanced portrayal of resilience and fragility.
Printed on Hahnemühle Fine Art Baryta 325gsm paper, renowned for its vivid colour depth and exquisite detail, these images highlight every bruise, cut, and bead of sweat. The prints are unflinching in their detail, demanding a response from the viewer and provoking questions about humanity’s relationship with violence and endurance.
These compelling works are more than photographs—they are reflections on what it means to be human, captured in moments of intense vulnerability and strength. Bold, evocative, and unvarnished, Cage Fighters is a powerful addition to any collection.
Sam Faulkner’s Cage Fighters series captures fighters immediately after leaving the octagon, raw and unfiltered. Taken in an ad hoc studio set up between the cage and the changing rooms, these portraits strip the fighters of the spectacle, presenting them in the stark aftermath of combat.
Photographed against a plain white backdrop, the images isolate the fighters from the context of the fight. Some meet the camera with defiance, while others are visibly broken, their exhaustion and pain palpable. These are not moments of triumph or defeat—they are something deeper: reflections on the physical and emotional toll of voluntary conflict.
The series delves into themes of masculinity, suffering, and endurance. What compels someone to step willingly into such brutality? Faulkner’s work explores this question without offering easy answers, presenting a nuanced portrayal of resilience and fragility.
Printed on Hahnemühle Fine Art Baryta 325gsm paper, renowned for its vivid colour depth and exquisite detail, these images highlight every bruise, cut, and bead of sweat. The prints are unflinching in their detail, demanding a response from the viewer and provoking questions about humanity’s relationship with violence and endurance.
These compelling works are more than photographs—they are reflections on what it means to be human, captured in moments of intense vulnerability and strength. Bold, evocative, and unvarnished, Cage Fighters is a powerful addition to any collection.