PhotoLondon in Somerset House has now entered its 9th iteration. Primarily a commercial arena for galleries to show and sell their work, the Fair also functions as a platform for new and emerging talent in the Discovery zone. This is always ( for me,) the most exciting and dynamic part of the four/5 intensive days of the photography world converging, although tucked away in a rather hard to find part of the labyrinth, it is the most rewarding. The galleries here, (some only exist on line) and the majority are less than 5 years old, show a huge range of exciting and international photographers. I especially liked the work of Tshepiso Moropa with Koop Projects from Brighton….
Of course there are some highlights in the main fair.., Lydia Goldblatt has some elegaic work at Robert Morat Galerie in the Pavilion, and a beautiful new book called Fugue. Purdy Hicks have contemporary daguerreotypes from Takashi Arai an intriguing Japanese artist amongst many stars, the publishers in East Wing are showing such fabulous new publications it makes your heart sing a little….
Copyright ⓒ Emi O'Connell
Copyright ⓒ Tshepiso Moropa
Copyright ⓒ Emi O'Connell
And on the river level ..Embankment, there are really good 19th century photographs curated by Bob Hershkowitz which makes you realise that the earliest of photographers really knew what they were doing.Exceptionally interesting and important works, and on the same level, the Deutsche Borse exhibition also shows some seriously good work.
My favourite piece, maybe because I am Irish, which is in the Hahnemeule award section, halfway between Discovery and the ground level of Somerset House…truly hard to find, but well worth it !!!! (Go through the Nikon space, some excellent work there too)……..
Such gentle work entitled ‘And then I ran Away, by Emi O’Connell, (whose degree show I had seen in Copeland Gallery peckham and admired greatly ! This is really lovely….
The Talks should be flagged up here- , two great ones…Joy Gergory, with a panel of several of the wonderful women in her amazing tome Shining Lights, and Ami Bouhassane talking about her grandmother, Lee Miller were two excellent examples..
Talks often bring new ideas to life or discussion can envigorate older or overlooked concepts. The FT and PhotoLondon have a full programme which is admirable.
Altogether, PL is worth investigating and seeing if there are ways of approaching photography that can enliven and reanimate your enthusiasm for photography.
Photo London Runs from 16th – 19th May 2024, London
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