John Duncan studied Documentary Photography in Newport graduating in 1989 and Fine Art Photography at Glasgow School Art graduating in 1992. For over thirty years he has been making work in Belfast, where he is lives and works. Duncan examines evidence of persistence and change both in terms of local politics and the impact of wider global trends. His ongoing practice stems from a sustained engagement with his home city of Belfast, examining and reflecting on its evolving state.

His acclaimed project Bonfires (2003-2005) documented a long-standing tradition of bonfire building by Protestant communities. His monograph Bonfires was published in 2008 by STEIDL. Selected solo exhibitions include: Bonfires, Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin; Belfast Exposed; Wolverhampton Art Gallery, and Ffotogallery Wales (2009/8); We Were Here, Gimpel Fils London (2006); Trees from Germany, Belfast Exposed (2003). Group exhibitions include: Politics of Place Photo Museum Ireland (2022);Art of the Troubles, Ulster Museum (2014); Loaded Landscapes, Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago (2007); and Dogs have no religion, Czech Museum of Fine Art (2006).

In addition to his work as an artist he is co-editor of Ireland’s leading photography periodical SOURCE Photographic Review. His work has been purchased by the National Photography Collection at Photo Museum Ireland.