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Viewing Photo London brings more than 400 artists to Somerset House for its ninth edition

Photo London returns to Somerset House this week (running until Sunday) with 120 exhibitors from around the world all in one place. The ninth edition of the photography fair offers a birds eye view of what’s happening in the medium now, showcasing rare historic works (see special presentations of French calotypes and early British photographs from the 19th century) to brand new and never-seen-before works and exploration of AI by emerging contemporary in the fair’s dedicated Discovery section.

Among The Wick’s highlights at this 2024 edition of the fair are photographs by major, established artists from throughout the last century – see beautiful pieces by Julia Magaret Cameron, Helen Levitt and Nan Goldin, as well as Lee Miller, David Bailey and Martin Parr. There’s also a regional focus on Turkey this year, with eight galleries from the country participating: don’t miss silver gelatin prints from the 1950s by Turkish artist Yıldız Moran, courtesy of Galeri Nev Ankara.

Photo London has come to reflect the diversity, playfulness and innovation of the London scene, not only in the booth presentations but also in the talks programme too – The Wick’s picks are Joy Gregory, who will introduce Black women photographers active in the 1980s and 1990s; a talk by artist Alia Ali, and an exploration of the African Gaze through photography and cinema. All talks are now included with a ticket to the fair. One of many reasons to visit Somerset House this week, and be amazed at the scope of this vernacular medium.

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Dates
16 May 2024 — 19 May 2024

Viewing Portraits by iconic British photographers David Bailey and Mary McCartney at Claridge’s ArtSpace

This month in London is all about photography – May is the time to see the best work happening in the medium now. Where better to start than with two British photographers from the city, who have each helped to shape the image of Britain for their generation?

David Bailey, 86, is one of the most important photographers living today – born and raised in East London, Bailey struggled at school due to dyslexia and dyspraxia, but later found a creative outlet in the camera, and began working as an assistant to David Collins, then John French – by 1959 British Vogue had contracted him as a fashion photographer, and the rest is history; Bailey went on to shoot royalty, the rich and famous. He even inspired the lead character, Thomas in Antonioni’s film Blowup.

Bailey shook up the formal portrait genre with his informal, playful approach – and this exhibition selects some of shots that have made his work so significant, presented for the first time e alongside another photographer who has equally carved out a unique approach to portraiture: Mary McCartney. A friend of Bailey, McCartney, 54, is known for her diaristic, wistful and poetic pictures; brought together with Bailey the two form an intimate conversation, with plenty of high fashion and fun.

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Dates
14 May 2024 — 19 July 2024

Viewing Ladbroke Hall unveils a new hidden garden in the heart of London

Back in London, Ladbroke Hall – the arts and social club in Notting Hill – is set to reveal the latest addition to its cultural offering, with a landscaped garden, spanning 12,500 square feet, envisioned by 2014 Chelsea Flower Show winner Luciano Giubbilei. Opening to the public as summer begins, the landscaped design, featuring bamboo, acers, maple trees and hydrangeas, will also be home to a Jean Prouvé-designed private dining space and outdoor restaurant.

Coinciding with the opening of its garden on 16 May, Ladbroke Hall also presents a group exhibition spanning spaces inside and out, MONUMENTAL, exploring the theme of scale in historical design. At the Carpenters Workshop Gallery, a new iteration of Yinka Shonibare’s CBE RA, Windy Chair, will be on view, originally commissioned in 2014 for Design Miami, Windy Chair is a limited-edition series, connected to the Wind Sculptures series, mimicking fabric caught in the wind. And you’ll also be able to see a new body of work by the Australian artist, Charles Trevelyan.

Now we just need the weather to comply.

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Dates
17 May 2024
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