Photo London Will Return in 2018

 

The record breaking third edition of Photo London closed on Sunday 21 May 2017, having seen strong visitor numbers and sales, including major acquisitions by international institutions and significant sales to private collectors. The Fair brought together 89 galleries from 16 countries. Photo London is supported for the second consecutive year by main sponsor Pictet Group, continuing a shared commitment to artistic excellence.

Michael Benson and Fariba Farshad, Founding Directors of Photo London, said: “Our third edition has seen Photo London come of age.  It is now firmly established as part of the cultural fabric of the City and is a key date in the international artworld calendar – the event that anyone who is seriously interested in the past present and future of photography cannot afford to miss. We were delighted to present such a strong line-up of both new and returning galleries for the third edition of Photo London, as well as an incredible Public Programme with leading artists such as Taryn Simon, Isaac Julien, William Klein and Mat Collishaw, and our Talks Programme, which featured conversations between some of the finest photographers of our generation. The quality of our exhibitors translated into strong sales throughout the Fair and we are happy to report excellent visitor figures. We are looking forward to the fourth edition of Photo London and continuing the Fair’s upward trajectory. There is huge enthusiasm for photography in London and it’s great to know that Photo London is contributing towards the development of London as a key global centre for the medium.”

 

 

The Public Programme was also a strong draw for visitors with highlights including: a presentation of work (Image Atlas) by 2017 Master of Photography Taryn Simon; David Hurn’s Swaps exhibition to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Magnum Photos; and the virtual reality artwork Thresholds by Mat Collishaw, which restages Fox Talbot’s pioneering 1839 exhibition of photography and continues at Somerset House until 11 June.

Photo London’s Pavilion Commissions continued this year and included a special mural by legendary photographer William Klein together monumental photographic installations by Korean artists Bae Bien-U and Noh Suntag. The Fair also featured a special presentation of Isaac Julien’s award winning Looking For Langston which continues at Somerset House until 29 May.

 

 

The Geneva-based Pictet Group, one of Europe’s leading asset and wealth management organisations, were again sponsors of Photo London. Nicolas Pictet, managing partner of the Pictet Group and Patron of Photo London, said: “At Pictet we are proud of the reputation that we have built in the photography world through the successful development of the Prix Pictet over the past eight years. Working in partnership with Candlestar, the producers of Photo London, we have established the prize as the world’s leading award for photography and sustainability. So, when Candlestar spoke to us of their ambition to make Photo London the key global event for everyone with an interest in the past, present and future of photography, our support felt inevitable. We are delighted to be able to continue our support for a second year especially at a moment when the Prix Pictet shortlist exhibition is showing at the Victoria and Albert Museum.”

Commenting on LUMA’s support for The Crucible Project, Maja Hoffmann said: “The LUMA Foundation is pleased to partially support The Crucible Project in line with its mission to encourage, enable and initiate artistic production. It not only activates Photo London’s current Public Programme, but extends its reach across London in an all year round research-based activity. We wish this programme great success.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The success of this year’s Photo London shows that our great city is open to creativity, ideas and to people from around the world. I’m delighted that a record number of visitors came to experience the wide variety of exhibitions and events at Photo London, strengthening the capital’s position as a global cultural powerhouse.”

Jonathan Reekie, Director of Somerset House Trust, said: “Somerset House is proud to be the home of Photo London and it is now firmly established as an annual highlight of the Somerset House calendar. We look forward to welcoming the Fair back in 2018.”

 

The fourth edition of Photo London will return to Somerset House 17-20 May 2018 (Preview Day 16 May)

 

All images by Graham Carlow