Charlotte Jansen Presents: Bee Gats: Photography Saved My Life 

Join us for an artist talk between American photo-based artist, Bee Gats and Gem Fletcher. Gats reveals how photography transformed his life after a troubled early life growing up in care, and how he has used the camera to revere the unseen sides and everyday life in underground communities in the United States. Gats presents his work in Europe for the first time at Photo London with Mortal Machine Gallery, New Orleans.  

Ticket Price: £10.00 with Photo London Ticket

Please note, talk tickets are available for purchase and require a valid Photo London Day Ticket or Weekend Pass for the corresponding day.

 

Speakers

Bee Gats  

Bee Gats is a self-taught photographer whose unflinching lens captures moments of raw humanity, informed by his extraordinary personal journey. Born in the American Midwest, Gats’ early life was shaped by profound disruption following his mother’s murder when he was six years old. Years in institutional care fostered both resilience and a sharp observational perspective. His informal education through books and visual media developed an intuitive understanding of visual framing and composition that would later define his photographic style.In 2016, Gats picked up a camera for the first time  — a Fuji x100t — and immersed himself in an intensive self-directed photographic education, creating over 10,000 images in his first three months. His subject matter reflects environments and individuals he knows intimately, photographed with an insider’s perspective that avoids either exploitation orsentimentality. By 2019, Gats had embarked on an extensive period of travel, visiting over 100 cities in a single year in pursuit of images. His first exhibition was held at Mortal Machine Gallery in 2021, followed by presentations at Scope Art Fair and culminating in the prestigious Founder’s Choice award at Scope 2024. Gats is presented by Mortal Machine at Photo London, booth D10. 

 

Gem Fletcher  

Gem Fletcher is a writer, consultant and podcaster. Her work has been published in Foam, Aperture, Dazed, Creative Review, An0ther, 1000 Words and The British Journal of Photography. She also hosts The Messy Truth podcast, a series of candid conversations that unpack the future of visual culture and what it means to be a photographer today. Now in its tenth season, Gem explores reflections on criticism, starting out, mental health, politics and success with guests like Antwuan Sargent, Catherine Opie, Farah Al Qasimi, Carmen Winant, Charlotte Cotton, Quil Lemons, Brea Souders and Laia Abril.