Ismail Zaidy

News Photo London

© Ismail Zaidy

Leading international photography fair Photo London, returns for the seventh time, with a packed schedule at the capital’s iconic neoclassical venue, Somerset House.


─── by Josh Bright, April 20, 2022

A celebration of photography in all its diverse forms, the event features a core group of over 75 exhibitors and galleries representing 15 different countries and encompassing the best of the medium, past, present, and future.

Black and white photography by Cedric Arnold, tattoos on mans hands, arms and chest
Untitled 25, 2015 from the series 'Yantra : the sacred ink' © Cedric Arnold. Courtesy of Galerie Olivier Waltma

The public program will be distinctly fashion-focused, with a major exhibition by this year’s Master of Photography, Nick Knight, as well as a homage to mid-century, Italian visionary, Frank Horvat.

Color photography by Rune Guneriussen
'Pursuing elevated growth', 2017 © Rune Guneriussen. Courtesy of Galerie Olivier Waltman
Color photography by Tim Flach, flamingoes
'Flamboyance', 2021 © Tim Flach

Other solo presentation highlights include a selection of works by Edward Burtynsky, a recent recipient of the Sony World Photography Awards’, Outstanding Contribution to Photography accolade; ten new works by London based artist Hannah Hughes whose practice includes photography, collage, and sculpture, (presented by Berlin’s Robert Morat Galerie);

The cutting-edge, surrealist-inspired work of Marianne Maric, presented by Zurich’s Christophe Guye Galerie, and first-time exhibitors, Import Export (Poland), will exhibit the work of Mia Dudek, influenced by mass housing constructions and global urbanization.

Aerial landscape photography by Edward Burtynsky, copper mine, Chile
Chuquicamata Copper Mine Overburden #2, Calama, Chile, 2017 © Edward Burtynsky. Courtesy Flowers Gallery, London and Metivier Gallery, Toronto

Among the many returnees, are Goodman Gallery (Cape Town, Johannesburg, and London) showcasing multi-media artist Mikhael Subotzky; Berlin’s Persons Projects who will present the work of conceptual photographer Grey Crawford alongside Tiina Itkonen’s dreamlike arctic landscapes, and Frankfurt’s Galerie-Peter-Sillem, who will spotlight the innovative work of Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2022-shortlisted artist, Anastasia Samoylova.

color photography by Tiina Itkonen, blue house in the snow
'Home 14', Siorapaluk, 2019 © Tiina Itkonen. Courtesy of Persons Projects

First-time exhibitors include a trio of Parisian galleries: Jean Kenta Gauthier presenting works by Mishka Henner, Raphaël Dallaporta and Daniel Blaufuks; Olivier Waltman Gallery exhibiting work by a quartet of artists: Rene Guneruiussen, Alex Plademunt, Cedric Arnold, Tali Amitai-Taibib, and Nil Gallery, presenting new work by Prince Gyasi, Lou Escobar and Ismail Zaidy.

color photography by Anastasia Samoylova, pink wall
Pink Wall, Palmetto Bay, Miami, 2020, From the series 'Floridas' © Anastasia Samoylova, Courtesy Galerie Peter Sillem
Black and white photography portrait by Bowei Yang, shirtless young man with butterfly
'Zhang and the other side of a butterfly', 2021 © Bowei Yang. Courtsey of Hi-Noon

Historical works will also, once again play an important role. The Lee Miller Archives (East Sussex) will explore their eponym’s surrealist gaze, exhibiting an extensive selection of images from throughout her career, alongside photographs from her husband, surrealist artist Roland Penrose. Meanwhile, London’s Grob Gallery will focus on black and white masterworks, including a selection of fine vintage silver gelatin prints by Bill Brandt and André Kertész.

Color photography by Prince Gyasi, group portrait, men in tree
'Playground', 2021, from ' The Treasure Trove Series' © Prince Gyasi. Courtesy of Nil Gallery

Other highlights include the return of the acclaimed Discovery Section, which will feature a special presentation on Photography Crossing Boundaries, encompassing, amongst others, sculpture, NFTs, and The Rainbow Camera, an installation by UK conceptual artists Walter and Zoniel.

Mia Dudek, photography
'Fruiting Body XIV', 2021 © Mia Dudek. Courtesy of the artist and Import Export

The Emerging Photographer of the Year award will also return. Shortlisted work by Almudena Romero (Fisheye Gallery) and Alia Ali (Peter Silem) alongside that of last year’s winner Heather Agyepong, will be exhibited in official partner Nikon’s dedicated space, and, brand new for 2022, to mark Photo London’s new partnership with the World Photography Organisation, PHOTOFAIRS Shanghai Presents will showcase leading Chinese galleries and artists.

The 7th edition of Photo London will run from 12-15 May 2022.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit their website.

All images © their respective owners