Immense; History Through A Lens

Photography is an incredible art from, a way in which we are able to capture relevant moments in time, perhaps tell stories, evoke emotions, and even bring to light particular scenarios in our lives, or others. Past and present photographers have been able to use this medium as a means to capture cultural characteristics, human characteristics and even societal issues faced during a particular time. The beauty of photography is that it is so dynamic in its outcome because of the many different types; landscape, still-life, candid, photo-journalism, conceptual/fine-art, wildlife, street life and many more.

Here at .Cent we love to celebrate photography and the beautiful images that have been captured over time, especially when they celebrate or pay homage to a particular era. Burberry are hosting an incredibly prestigious photography exhibition paying homage to the British way of life and character. ‘Here We Are’ aims to bring together 30 of the most respected and celebrated societal and documentary photographers. The exhibition will feature over 200 works by renowned photographs including, Charlie Phillips, Karen Knorr, Janette Beckman, Andy Sewell, Ken Russell, Jo Spence, Dafydd Jones, Bill Brandt, Martin Parr, Jane Bown, Shirely Baker and Brian Griffin.

Martin Parr, Mayor of Todmorden’s Inaugural Banquet, Todmorden, West Yorkshire, England, UK, 1977 © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos / Rocket Gallery

Highlights will include incredible exhibitions of Notting Hill community by Charlie Phillips, the portrayal of Belgravia in 1979 by Karen Knorr, unconventional portraits of British businessmen by Brian Griffin and never before seen portraits by Shirely Baker and Ken Russell. Exclusive to the Burberry exhibition is also a presentation of work by Alasdair McLellan, who Burberry has proudly announced as their newest creative collaborator. The incredible images will be displayed over three floors of Burberry’s new show venue Old Sessions House in Clerkenwell, which will be opening to the public for the first time since its restoration. The event is curated by President and Chief Creative Officer, Christopher Bailey, Burberry, Lucy Kumara Moore, writer, curator and Director of Claire de Rouen and is co-curated by Alasdair McLellan.

Dafydd Jones, Magdalen Commemoration Ball, Oxford, 1988 © Dafydd Jones 

The exhibition will be divided into different themes, whilst each theme will reflect a different aspect of traditional British life. Something that makes this exhibition so intriguing is the way the photographs will illustrate an entire cultural tradition and way of dressing. These taster photos released, already stir up a sense of nostalgia. On three different floors, the exhibition will showcase bodies of work by photographers, monographic presentations, and thematic displays.

‘It’s the spirit of those photographs – sometimes ironic, sometimes tender, always truthful- that has guided our September collection. Together they will form an exhibition in our new show space, celebrating a very British way of life and way of dressing.’ – Christopher Bailey, President and Chief Creative Officer, Burberry.

Burberry have announced their newest creative collaboration with photographer Alasdair McLellan, who will be capturing portfolios of images for Burberry. The images will be revealed on all of Burberry’s social platforms, and more will be revealed in the coming months. In celebration of this new collaboration, ‘Here We Are’ will also feature a presentation of more than 70 photographs by McLellan; including previously unseen photographs. Burberry’s September collection for men and women will also be presented at Old Sessions House, inspired by the spirit captured in British social portraiture.

Martin Parr, O’Connell Bridge, Dublin, Ireland, October 1981 © Martin Parr/ Magnum Photos/ Rocket Gallery 

The history of photography is complex as the way in which we have used this medium has grown and evolved over time. In a time where photography was perhaps only used as a means to experiment, some of the most famous photographs were taken, highlighting incredible, or even undeniably tragic moments in history. Photography was not always respected as a medium for ‘creating art’ as it is reliant on world of technology. However, over time it has been identified that this art form can produce some of the most iconic pieces of art, capturing objects, scenes, movement, still life and many more. Each photograph tells a different story, which we are all able to interpret in our own ways.

Stuart Franklin, Army, England, GB, 1987 © Stuart Franklin / Magnum Photos 

The British way of life depicted in these photos will be interpreted in numerous ways by different observers. The photography medium allows people to take the subject matters and determine the meaning behind the photos. The exhibition perhaps brings back memories of popular moments or events in British history, whilst also highlighting a British way of dressing. The photos capture a particular British culture and tradition that we may be familiar with.

‘When we started thinking about curating ”Here We Are”, I knew I wanted it to celebrate a certain strand of British photography that I have always loved- one which documents the many and varied tribes, land and classes that make up this island of ours.’ – Christopher Bailey

The celebration of history through a lens continues, as the Scottish National Portrait Gallery hosts photography exhibition ”When We Were Young” paying homage to photographers who have drawn inspiration from and used children as a main focal point in their work over the years; celebrating the ‘magic and wonder of childhood.’ The exhibition will showcase more than 100 images which have captured children at work, home and school, illustrating how childhood and childlike qualities have changed over 175 years. It aims to show the ever-changing attitudes towards the representation of children and also incredibly highlights the evolution of the photographic medium.

   McMahon of Aberdeen, Giant Cod, 1908, Carbon print, 43.50 x 59.50 cm Collection: National Galleries of Scotland

.Three young boys photographed at a fish processing plant- fish that was being imported from Portugal.

The photographers featured have aimed to capture children in different walks of life, whilst illustrating that children, being children, will always look for a form of escapism from our world, regardless of the toy, tool or occupation they obtain; exploring the notion of ‘play’. Many of the photographs show the streets and playgrounds of the 1950’s and 1960’s, whilst others decide to explore the state of modern play and how children will always find ways to play and enjoy their childhood, even if the way in which they do so is much more advanced.

The photos will also showcase children in an educational context as Edith Tudor-Hart (1908-1973) attempted to showcase intimate settings of pupils and teachers at Camphill school; a school which carried a strong ethos of providing quality education and support for children with developmental disabilities, special needs and mental health problems. The incredible photos will take us on a journey of children through the ages, highlighting the qualities children still have today, expressed in different ways.

Roger Mayne

Children playing on a lorry, Glasgow, 1958

Silver gelatine print, 28.20 x 38.20 cm
© Katkin Tremayne

‘This is the second of our thematic exhibitions drawn from the photography collection here at the National Galleries of Scotland. This fun and engaging display of childhood from all over the world will feature iconic images alongside less well known works, old favourites and new acquisitions- essentially something for everyone, no matter what your age!’ – Anne Lyden, International Photography Curator, Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Andy Moxon
Foot O’ the Walk Series, No. 17, 1997

Silver gelatine print, 15.20 x 15.20 cm
© Andy Moxon

Collection: National Galleries of Scotland

Here at .Cent we are delighted to continue celebrating photography and the evolution of this medium. John Stoddart, world renowned celebrity photographer will showcase a two-part exhibition featuring iconic celebrity portraits, as well as a series of 22 photographs representing his own unique vision of the journey of life. Stoddart is considered one of the most important English photographers of our day, capturing iconic photographs of celebrities, form Martin Scorsese to Daniel Craig. Stoddart began his photographic journey in his home town of Liverpool. His breakthrough photograph was captured in the early 1980’s, ‘Frankie Goes to Hollywood’ which became one of his most iconic images. The photographs displayed are taken directly from negative and have no digital editing, which reveals his ability to capture the essence of his subjects.

The exhibition will be held at one of London’s favourite French restaurants, L’Escaragot on the 26^th September 2017. Part one of the exhibition will be displayed in the main room, titled ‘From Beverly Hills to Soho’ showcasing Stoddart’s most ionic celebrity portraits over three decades; highlighting his true artistic ability.

Jeremy Irons

In a time where Hollywood stars could not share their own personal journeys and personalities through social media, Stoddart opened a window that allowed the public to connect with their favourite stars through iconic photographs; capturing incredible intimate moments.

Catherine Zeta-Jones 1992 

The portraits captured Hollywood’s stars before they rose to fame, in a time before social media, where it wasn’t easy to share photos online, Stoddart’s photos capture celebrities in their private and unusual moments, showing their true emotions. The exhibition includes photos of Daniel Craig and Pierce Branson, to Catherine Zeta-Jones dancing on a bed in the Dorchester Hotel, and Jeremy Irons sitting in the back of a taxi; capturing their natural beauty and personal essence. Part-two of the exhibition named Memento Mori is a series of 22 photographs, captured over many years from Stoddart’s numerous photography sessions. This body of work captures a unique vision of the journey of life, the fears we may have, our passions, and everything in-between.

Izabella Scorupco, Golden Eye, 1996

 “I’m thrilled to display a diverse body of my work for the first time at L’Escargot. It’s a London dining institution with its own incredible history of celebrities and influential characters that have taken a seat for dinner. It made perfect sense to display a collection of my most provocative and iconic work here. ” – John Stoddart

The exhibition will run from 26^th September –6^th October at L’Escargot

Scottish National Portrait Gallery Exhibition runs from 14th October – 15th April

Burberry ‘Here We Are’ runs from 18th September-1st October 2017