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Photography aficionados will need extra stamina to explore the seven exhibitions across three floors at the opening of the Centre for British Photography in central London on January 26.
The 8,000-square-foot new space on Jermyn Street will house the Hyman Collection—the private collection of Claire and James Hyman, widely considered one of the world’s major libraries of British photography. Over 3,000 significant works by more than 100 artists—such as Bill Brandt, Cecil Beaton, and Martin Parr—since 1900 are included. Until now, it was only available to view online.
Bill Brandt, David Hockney (1980). Courtesy of the Centre for British Photography, London.
The center will give a historical overview of British photography and—importantly—present the diverse landscape of British photography as it exists today. “There is no venue specifically dedicated to artists working in photography in Britain,” Founding Director James Hyman told Artnet News.
“While institutions such as Tate and the V&A have extraordinary, encyclopedic collections, they are not devoted to photography, or to British photography,” he continued. “We have one of the most substantial collections of British photography, which we wish to make more public.”
Natasha Caruana, Fairy Tale for Sale (2011-2013). Courtesy of the Centre for British Photography, London.
The new center, Hyman said, is “committed to presenting a diverse view of photographic practice in Britain,” which the opening program embodies. One of the major opening shows takes its name from Bill Brandt’s seminal publication of 1935, The English at Home, presenting over 150 works that explore the central place of the home in 20th-century British photography.
In “powerful contrast” to this is the group show “Headstrong.” Curated by Fast Forward—a research group designed to promote and engage with women and non-binary people in photography across the globe—the show will focus on recent self-portraits by women working in photography.
Trish Morrissey, Pretty Ogre (2011), part of “Headstrong. Courtesy of the Centre for British Photography, London.
“This exhibition foregrounds artists and photographers who have been using self-portraiture as a tool to crack open the oppressive, often punishing nature of patriarchy,” explained Anna Fox, Director of Fast Forward. “From exposing cyberbullies to exploring the multiplicity of female identity, these portraits reinvent outdated concepts of how we should behave, how we should be, and what we can become.”
The center will also reopen with three solo exhibitions by Heather Agyepong, Jo Spence, and Natasha Caruana. “Each show is different but, by putting these artists together—each of whom uses theater and performance—connections can be drawn,” Hyman said to Artnet News.
The new center is for anyone with an interest in photography—amateur or professional. It will be free to visit year round, and will present self-generated exhibitions, shows led by independent curators and organizations, as well as monographic displays, events, and talks. “We hope visitors will get a sense of the incredible range and diversity of historical as well as contemporary photography in Britain,” added Hyman.
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