Photo London kicked off over the weekend, with an exciting programme of exhibitions, talks, lectures, installations and screenings, as well, of course, as a whole host of photographs on display.
Over the weekend, Photo London filled the sprawling neoclassical courtyards and halls of Somerset House to the brim, for the second year running. Featuring world-class work from 85 galleries and in excess of 480 artists, this year's showcase was the largest of its kind ever to grace the capital.
The fair offered up a diverse range of international photography, with highlights including Ellen von Unwerth's iconic David Bowie and Kate Moss at Camera Work Gallery, and Adriana Lestido's Imprisoned Women series at Buenos Aires' Rolf Art gallery.
As well as highly popular displays from larger galleries (such as Aperture Foundation, Beetles+Huxley and Michael Hoppen), the fair was far from a big-name boast-fest, thanks to a healthy proportion of lesser-known, yet equally interesting challengers. We were particularly impressed by the vivid floral images of Yoshinori Mizutani's 'Sakura' series, as presented by Antwerp's IBASHO gallery, a space we've have had our eye on since this time last year.
The global nature of the participating galleries and their artists also impressed – from Sydney's Michael Reid gallery (which presented the beautiful portraits of Indigenous artist Christian Thompson), to Dewi Lewis Publishing, which looked to the streets of the Netherlands and Hans Eijkelboom for their enticing photo-book offering. Wherever the work was set, it burst from the walls of the often contrasting, ever-so-traditional backdrop of Somerset House.
Despite the sheer breadth and scale of the occasion, Photo London wasn't tiresome or overwhelming (as these fairs often can be) thanks to a series of well-chosen talks and events held at regular intervals throughout the weekend, including key speeches from artistic authority Edmund de Waal and satirical mastermind Martin Parr.
The fair's success cements London as a place where the phrase 'photo-opportunity' takes on a whole new meaning. What with the hefty 'Performing for the Camera' exhibition across the river at Tate Modern, and the wonderful Paul Strand retrospective at the V&A that runs until 3 July, London is a hive of photographic fervour of late. Even the ex-mayor of London approves of his beloved city's moment in the photographic spot-light. ‘At a time when so many of us are using our smartphones to capture images of the people and sights around us, we shouldn’t forget photography’s significance as a long-lasting art form,' Boris Johnson stated. 'There is an incredibly rich variety of photography, both historical and contemporary and it is wonderful to see London at the fore of international photo fairs.'
Featuring world-class work from 85 galleries and in excess of 480 artists, this year’s showcase was the largest of its kind ever to grace the capital. Pictured: Camera Work installation at the opening of Photo London.
The fair offered up a diverse range of international photography, with highlights including Ellen von Unwerth’s iconic David Bowie and Kate Moss at Camera Work Gallery.
Particularly haunting was Adriana Lestido’s Imprisoned Women series at Buenos Aires’ Rolf Art gallery.
END. Twins, by Eamonn Doyle, 2016, London
We were particularly impressed by the vivid floral images of Yoshinori Mizutani’s ’Sakura’ series, as presented by Antwerp’s IBASHO gallery. Pictured: Untitled, by Yoshinori Mizutani, 2015.
A display of Wolfgang Tillmans’ entire series of ’Anti Brexit campaign’ posters across the side of the Pavillion in the Edmond J Safra Fountain Court of Somerset House
London-based art duo Walter & Zoniel at the opening of Photo London 2016.
INFORMATION
Photo London ran from 19–22 May. For more information, visit the Photo London website
-
Promemoria’s new furniture takes you from London to Lake Como, with loveAhead of its Milan Design Week 2025 debut, we try out Promemoria’s new furniture collection by David Collins Studio, at founder Romeo Sozzi’s Lake Como villa
-
Fluid workspaces: is the era of prescriptive office design over?We discuss evolving workspaces and track the shape-shifting interiors of the 21st century. If options are what we’re after in office design, it looks like we’ve got them
-
This collection of slow furniture is a powerful ode to timeA serene exhibition of David Dolcini's 'Time-made' collection has fast-tracked its place into our hearts and homes
-
A major Frida Kahlo exhibition is coming to the Tate Modern next yearTate’s 2026 programme includes 'Frida: The Making of an Icon', which will trace the professional and personal life of countercultural figurehead Frida Kahlo
-
A portrait of the artist: Sotheby’s puts Grayson Perry in the spotlightFor more than a decade, photographer Richard Ansett has made Grayson Perry his muse. Now Sotheby’s is staging a selling exhibition of their work
-
From counter-culture to Northern Soul, these photos chart an intimate history of working-class Britain‘After the End of History: British Working Class Photography 1989 – 2024’ is at Edinburgh gallery Stills
-
Celia Paul's colony of ghostly apparitions haunts Victoria MiroEerie and elegiac new London exhibition ‘Celia Paul: Colony of Ghosts’ is on show at Victoria Miro until 17 April
-
Teresa Pągowska's dreamy interpretations of the female form are in London for the first time‘Shadow Self’ in Thaddaeus Ropac’s 18th-century townhouse gallery in London, presents the first UK solo exhibition of Pągowska’s work
-
Sylvie Fleury's work in dialogue with Matisse makes for a provocative exploration of the female form'Drawing on Matisse, An Exhibition by Sylvie Fleury’ is on show until 2 May at Luxembourg + Co
-
What to see at BFI Flare film festival, 'a rich tapestry of queer experience'As one of the only film festivals to explicitly profile LGBTQI+ cinema, BFI Flare Film Festival remains a unique and beloved event. Here's what to see as it makes its return to London from 19 - 30 March
-
The enduring appeal of Transport for London’s seat designsFrom artist Rita Keegan’s new collage to fashion designer Adam Jones’ Overground suit, TfL moquettes continue to enjoy a cult status
