Photo London 2021
Photo London is a prestigious art fair held in the stately environs of Somerset House in London. Built in 1776 and undergoing several extensions, modifications and redevelopment until the mid-20thCentury, Somerset House is now home to an abundance of art, design, and cultural institutions, as well as independent artists. It seems only natural then, that Somerset House should be the home of Photo London.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Candlestar, the producer of Photo London made a noticeable alteration to the regular format. Most of the talks, once held in person, are now held online over a period of 25 days, allowing ticket holders and non-ticket holders alike access to the informative and enlightening discussions.
Seeing art in person after an anxiety-ridden eighteen months of COVID-19 related lockdown was like the proverbial breath of fresh air. The fair, though busy, was noticeably more subdued than in previous years, as was evidenced by several empty spaces in the display areas. My companions and I mused on the fact that this may have been due to the financial implications of the global pandemic, with international exhibitors potentially having to quarantine before and after the fair.
Manipulated images was a common theme: embroidered, punctured, sliced and folded images appeared to be a by-product of making work during lockdown. Having limited access to materials was no bar to creativity for many artists.
Jacqueline Woods, Full Bloom, 2020
Bettina von Zwehl, The Symptoms, 2019
Jessa Fairbrother’s punctured photographs allow light to stream through the image
My personal highlights were ‘Close Enough: Robert Capa’, an exhibition of the renowned conflict photographer’s notable works and some of his personal artefacts, and Delphine Diallo’s wonderful portraits of Black women, displayed in the main Pavillion.
Delphine Diallo, Highness Copyrright Delphine Diallo
Having the opportunity to talk to gallerists, artists and institutions that serve to promote and champion photographers, like The Association of Photographers (AOP) The AOP was a great source of inspiration. I spoke to Seamus McGibbon and Nick Dunmur of The Association of Photographers about two of the association’s forums, f/22 which is a support and professional network for women and women-identifying photographers and AOP For All, a new forum created in 2020 with the aim of supporting photographers from culturally diverse backgrounds.
My top tips? Take a shopping bag so you can decant your postcards, magazines and books into it, so you don’t end up carrying large photobooks in your bare hands like I did, and wear comfortable shoes, like I did. Somerset House is huge.