Exhibition Review: Henry Miller Fine Art
Sabrina van den Heuval (Dutch b.1986), Corpus Dei 50, 2018, Pigment print, flush-mounted onto heavyboard, with a signed certificate of authenticity, edition 1/10, 50cm x 80cm (56cm x 87cm framed). £2,750
In 2017, van den Heuvel was artist-in-residence at the Netherlands Interuniversity Art History Institute in Florence. During her stay in Florence, she was inspired by the nature and classical antiquity around Florence, Rome and Tivoli and created her series Corpus Dei, Divine body.
By Aaron Norton
Edited By Hillary Mitchell
The form of the male body is both incredibly strong and powerful, but beautiful and intricate at the same time. When it comes to documenting the male form, no one can quite capture the strength and beauty associated with it quite like London-based photography and art gallery curator, Henry Miller. In his art gallery based in Walthamstow, East London, these works hang amongst other captivating pieces of photography and art associated with the male form.
What makes this art gallery so special is not only the fact that these photographs and artworks all have to do with the same subject matter – the male form, but that Henry Miller’s gallery allows its audience to stroll through a superbly decorated home in East England. This adds to the overall experience and the feelings that one may feel as they reflect on the photography hanging on the walls of this gallery space.
James A Fox, (British b.1935), In the Shadow of the Ring, 1992, Platinum print, signed, dedicated and dated (recto), 24cm x 24cm (image size), (50cm x 40cm in mount), unframed. £1,250
A senior editor at Magnum Photos, Fox also spent his life photographing the “noble art’ of boxing. Taking photographs in gymnasiums and in boxing rings all over the world, he also followed the boxers into locker rooms during training and preparations for their fights.
In the case of the photography in the gallery, each piece is incredibly different and brings a unique take on the nuances of the male form. Whether the photographs highlight a nude model, an accomplished athlete, or shows off an almost contortionist-like pose, each photograph on display showcases the male body in its purest stripped-down form.
The male body is incredibly displayed– with works spanning all the way from 16th century paintings and drawings all the way up to contemporary photographers including works from Jonathan Anderson and Edwin Low. In a sense, Miller’s gallery acts as an historical roadmap for those who have put an emphasis on the male body and form throughout a number of different time periods. With this emphasis, the viewer is introduced to a plethora of artists, photographers and artworks associated with the male form.
Arthur Tress, (American b.1940), Nude on the Stairs, 1970, Silver print, studio stamp (verso), 19cm x 19cm, (50cm x 40cm in mount), unframed. £1,200
Known for his staged surrealism and exposition of the human body, Tress cites his influences as Hokusai, Frank Lloyd Wright, Picasso, El Lissitzky, Duane Michaels and W Eugene Smith.
Although the male body isn’t a new subject in the world of photography, this gallery creates a new vision for an artform that has stood the test of time. Not only does Henry Miller’s Fine Art gallery create a new vision, but his vision has the ability for the subject of the male form to continue to thrive and continue to captivate its audiences.
Jonathan Anderson & Edwin Low (Anderson & Low), The Contenders (Mark Foster, Swimmer, England), Printed 2002, Bromide print, signed, annotated and editioned 1/10 (verso), 40m x 30cm, (50cm x 40cm in mount), unframed. £1,500
This edition was printed for exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London, (Feb - Jul 2002) as a celebration of competitors in the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Henry Miller Fine Art is located in Walthamstow, East England – approximately seven minutes away from the Walthamstow Central tube/over ground station – and can be visited via appointment. Along with visiting, you may contact Henry if you are interested in purchasing the work within his gallery. Henry Miller Fine Art gallery also hosts a number of exhibitions throughout the year. This information and more can be found on Henry Miller’s website.
