The UK’s largest ever exhibition of the influential and enigmatic fashion photographer Guy Bourdin, featuring over 100 works and previously unseen material from the photographer’s estate, from 1955 to 1987.
If you want to see the revolutionary photography from Man Ray’s protégé, the exhibited works exemplify the craftsmanship behind his images, from production to publication, and their enduring quality as a consequence.
Guy Bourdin’s editorial and advertising imagery represent a highpoint in late twentieth century fashion photography.
The pictures of Bourdin didn’t sell clothing as a typical fashion photograph, but it established the idea that the product is secondary to the image. From his professional debut for Paris Vogue in the 1950s, Bourdin developed a distinctive style of visual storytelling which continues to serve as a source of inspiration to contemporary fashion photographers from Tim Walker to Nick Knight.
The exhibition is curated by Alistair O’Neill with Shelly Verthime and includes over 100 colour exhibition printsof Bourdin’s most significant works, as well as early and late works in black and white that serve to challenge Bourdin’s reputation as a colour photographer.
The exhibition also features a selection of paintings, working drawings, sketches and notebooks.
When: until March 15th
Where: Somerset House – South Building Somerset House Strand – London WC2R 1LA
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