Exhibition Review: Photo London
Mick Jagger (Fur Hood) 1964 © David Bailey
Written by: Grace Russell
Copy Editor: Hillary Mitchell
After an unexpected and tumultuous 2020 that forced its in-person experience to move almost entirely online due to COVID-19 restrictions, the internationally acclaimed photography fair, Photo London, brought its sixth edition back to its home at Somerset House in London. Showcasing over eighty-eight exhibitors from 15 countries, Photo London 2021 flaunted an impressive lineup of workshops, panel discussions, established artists, and the Nikon X Photo London Emerging Photographer Award presentation, which was given to Marguerite Bornhauser.
Childs Play 2019 © Thandiwe Muriu and 193 Gallery, Paris
The London-based Imitation Modern Gallery featured an impressive selection of nostalgic and contemporary images from both emerging and esteemed artists. English fashion and portrait photographer David Bailey's most notable portraitures throughout his career brought a vintage feel to the gallery walls. Most notably, ageless black and white portraits of Mick Jagger and Jane Birkin, alongside a 1971 photograph of Jean Shrimpton for American Vogue.
The 193 Gallery featured Kenyan photographer Thandiwe Muriu, whose works explore the beauty of African creation using pattern and color. Muriu seeks to showcase the value of the black woman in society, featuring each muse in a choice of composition that expresses the individual's personality. Her works bring a joyous tone to the photo fair and breathe new life into the gallery walls. Muriu notably won the People Choice Award for Emerging Photographer of the Year at Photo London 2020.
Crown Shyness, Keeping Forest Reserve, Malaysia 1996 © Stuart Franklin / Magnum Photos, Courtesy Augusta Edwards Fine Art
Stuart Franklin's documentary-style images were a standout in the Augusta Edwards Fine Art Gallery. Best-known for photographing some of the most critical 21st Century news events, Franklin's 1996 image titled "Crown Shyness, Kepong Forest Reserve, Malaysia" explores the complex relationship between humanity and trees. The image features a lovely ground view of the Kapur tree, which naturally develop a mutual avoidance of each other over the course of their life.
Hide 2021 © Bastiaan Woudt, courtesy of Atlas Gallery
Bastiaan Woudt had an outstanding exhibition with his monochrome tones and graceful silhouettes on the walls of the Atlas Gallery. Best known for capturing beautifully crafted minimalistic images, Woudt's photographs Hide and Tinotenda-III gave an elegant look into the modern mind of the Dutch photographer and highlighted the importance of beautifully simplistic photos.
Tinotenda III 2015 © Bastiaan Woudt, courtesy Atlas Gallery
One of the world's most prolific photographers, Albert Watson, displayed photographs at the CAMERA WORK gallery in Berlin. Best known for his diverse body of work, Watson's photographs garnered plenty of attention at the photo fair. His well-known and timeless black and white image, King Casey, taken in 1992, depicts a striking portrait of a chimpanzee wearing a crown. This photograph, featured alongside many of his other works, exhibits a personal insight into Watson’s esteemed career.
Monkey with Crown (King Casey) © Albert Watson / Courtesy of CAMERA WORK
Roland Belgrave Vintage Photography, specializing in the themes of exploration and travel, exhibited works from San Francisco-based photographer Beth Moon among many others. Moon is best known for her large-scale platinum prints, and her standout depictions of nature bring an otherworldly effect to the gallery walls. Her image, Heart of the Dragon, shows a distinctively shaped ancient dragon's blood tree, unique to the island of Socotra off the Horn of Africa.
Heart of the Dragon. 1/3. 2010. © Beth Moon
Coming back from a fully digital past year, Photo London 2021 prevailed with the dedication and support of many to expertly deliver an exquisite in-person and online experience. Celebrating the works of numerous artists and bringing together a diverse audience, this year's photography fair was one to remember for years to come.
Photo London Digital was continued for the second year alongside the in-person event, and is still available for viewing until September 28th on Artsy.net.
