Photo London, Sommerset House © Graham Carlow
Photo London 2022 is taking place at Somerset House form May 12-15 for its 7th edition gathering 106 exhibitors from 18 countries worldwide, some of them coming back for the first time since May 2019.
Special highlights : The Discovery section focusing on new developements in photography ‘Photography Crossing Boundaries’, a China Showcase arising from Photo London’s partnership with the World Photography Organisation / Photofairs Shanghai, support for Ukraine with galleries presenting works by the Kharkiv School of Photography, Photo London’s Talks Programme, a tribute to Frank Horvat and an expanded publisher’s section.
Fair founders and directors Michael Benson and Fariba Farshad are insisting on the challenging aspects of this edition in such a period and short time. The increasing number of exhibitors, the London spreading audience along with the satellite events in all the city during Photo London Week has made the Photo London experience very special.
What were the most challenging aspects of this 7th edition?
By far the most challenging aspects of this seventh edition have been :
the short gap (8 month) between the editions
the fact that the artworld calendar is still a mess as a result of the pandemic which means that too many Fairs are clustered together at the same time
the impact of the pandemic on international shipping and the sluggish nature of the photography market in the early months of this year.
Among the selection of London exhibitors coming from all across the globe, with 35 cities represented at this year, some of them are returning for the first time since May 2019, how the Fair’s Curatorial committee role has been essential ?
The curatorial committee have a vital role to play in driving up the quality of the Fair. This is always important but in these extraordinarily difficult times we might be forgiven for accepting everyone who applied for a space in the Fair, the committee simply will not let us do that! Their influence is vital for the long term health of the Fair.
This year The Discovery section includes a special presentation entitled ‘Photography Crossing Boundaries’, how is it relevant to the new and potential evolutions of the medium ?
Time and again we see photography as the jumping off point for a creative vision that encompasses all media and combines art historical influences with the newest technologiess. As this year’s Master of Photography Nick Knight puts it ‘being a photographer isactually not about what you see, it’s about what you feel and that feeling can be transformed into any art form…We are probably in the most exciting time for creativity ever.’
A special tribute to legendary Frank Horvat will be made curated by his daughter Fiammetta Horvat : how is it such an event ?
Horvat was an adventurer and an innovator who radically changed fashion photography. This homage to the great man sits nicely alongside the exhibition of work by Nick Knight another great innovator who is always pushing the boundaries of the form. This show will be a nice prelude to his exhibition at Jeu de Paume later this year.
The third edition of Photo London Digital will run from 11 to 29 May : how this offer has became compulsary to complementary after the pandemic period ?
Yes. There are still people who cannot travel to London for the Fair and our Digital Fair which was launched with great success during the pandemic remains a hugely important part of our offer.
Opening dates and times:
Collector Preview (by invitation only): Wednesday 11 May 11:00-21:00 Public Days: Thursday 12 May 12:00-21:00; Friday 13 May 12:00-19:00; Saturday 14 May 12:00-19:00; Sunday 15 May 12:00-18:30 VIP Hour 11:00 – 12:00 each day
Ticket prices :
Tickets for Photo London are on sale now
Preview Day Ticket – £60.00 or £100 for 2 Access to Photo London on the selected day. No re-entry. Daily Ticket Day Ticket – £ 29.00 Access to Photo London on the selected day. No re-entry. Weekend pass – £45
Access to Photo London on Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 May. No same-day re-entry. More tickets options available at photolondon.org/tickets
