Over the weekend, the eighth edition of Photo London took place at Somerset House. This year’s Photo London was an inspirational mix of vintage and modern photography showcasing the best in past, present and future photography.
Internationalism is at the core of this year’s edition, with an impressive global group of exhibitors. Galleries from China, Japan, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Norway, Finland and Iran were exhibited alongside the Fair’s long-time participants for the first time.
The most exciting part, the centre point of the 2023 Public Programme programme, was the highly anticipated exhibition by this year’s Master of Photography Martin Parr, who will present new works and unveil a project that’s been 50 years in the making.
Martin Parr CBE is deemed the ‘godfather’ of British photography. He is a documentary photographer, photojournalist and photobook collector. He is known for his photographic projects that take an intimate, satirical and anthropological look at aspects of modern life, particularly documenting the social classes of England and, more broadly, the wealth of the Western world.
The focus on British photography continues with an exhibition of women photographers from the Hyman Collection named ‘ Writing her own Script’. The Centre for British Photography curated the display, which opened in January 2023.
‘Writing her own Script’ celebrates many of the pioneering women photographers at work in Britain over the last 100 years. It charts a course from the 1930s to the present. It provides an overview of photography in Britain that focuses on two strands: a humanistic documentary tradition and a more personal, performative practice.
The exhibition was mammoth, and diverse images covered the walls of the beautiful Somerset House, room by room. It was impossible to see it all, but we gave it a good shot!
Dean West
Antonia + Simone, Barbershop, Vogue US 1961
A great show – we look forward to next year already!