Interested in the effect such large scale construction projects have on an area and its residents, Jan saw the eviction of the allotment holders as symbolic of the disruption and often life-changing consequences that emanate from regeneration schemes.

Jan Stradtmann's starting point for much of his work comes from events happening around him. His early work was directly inspired by personal experiences, in the series "JanVan" he looked at the nomadic life of students moving from one cheap bed-sit to another. More recently he has explored the impact social and political decisions have had upon the personal and private sphere. In his latest series, "Garden of Eden", Jan comments on the financial crisis of September 2008, photographing office workers visiting a small park in Canary Wharf to find moments of silence and solitude as the financial maelstrom whirls around them.

Jan studied Communication Design at the University of Applied Sciences at Potsdam, Germany before graduating in 2007 with an MA in Photographic Studies from the University of Westminster, London. He has won a number of awards including the Magenta Flash Forward in both 2008 and 2009; the German Academic Exchange Service Project Grant, 2008 and Post Graduate Grant 2007 and was short-listed for the Nikon Discovery Awards 2007.

Jan has exhibited both in the UK and internationally including at Photofusion, London, 2008; the 2nd Novosibirsk International Festival of Contemporary Photography, Russia, 2008; Seven Seven Gallery, London, 2007; and the Month of Photography Festival, Vienna, 2004.

His work "Garden of Eden" was recently on show at the International Photography Festival Leipzig, Germany.