Gallery Vassie once again participated in the UnSeen Photography Fair & Festival in September of this year. The criteria of the fair, was that none of the work exhibited should have been previously seen. We therefore worked hard to create a fresh & excitingly curated exhibition of beautiful, significant & previously unseen photographs.
Sank, Murray & Bucklow, were all three exhibited in the Gallery Vassie's curation of the 'Made in Britain: Contemporary British Photography' exhibition at The Huis Marseilles, Museum for Photography, Amsterdam in 2005. Here, 'Seen-UnSeen' showcases their newest work.
This selection was very warmly received at the time, but it was only shown for a few days at the festival & so, 'due to popular demand' & simply because we feel that these are important and sensational bodies of work, we have decided to re-hang the show, with some additional gems at the gallery for the winter period. Also giving an opportunity to those who may have missed the UnSeen photo fair.
So creating the new title: 'Seen UnSeen - 2nd Edition'!
Christopher Bucklow
The exhibition includes previously 'unseen' images by the important British photographer and artist, Christopher Bucklow (born 1957). Somerset-based Bucklows’ approach to his subject matter is multi-layered: utilising photography, drawing and video as the need arises. In their simplicity and directness, his photographic techniques are more akin to that of the pioneers of the exploratory photographic processes of the 19th century, than to more conventional and contemporary practices. Incorporating elements of astronomy, chemistry and alchemy, which can be seen in the exquisite and unique pinhole, life-size colour portraits of his ongoing Guest and Tetrarch series.
Bucklow shows internationally (including: Japan, United States, Switzerland, Australia, United Kingdom & The Netherlands) and has work in major museum collections including MoMA, New York, The Metropolitan Museum, New York, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and The High Museum Atlanta and The Victoria & Albert Museum, London.
Matthew Murray
British photographer Matthew Murray (born 1968) is an artist, who has also had a number of years experience shooting campaigns for various advertising agencies, features for editorials and exhibiting personal photography projects. During this time he has developed a no nonsense style of work that has been described as ’raw’, ‘truthful’ and often ‘humorous’.
A number of these personal projects have been published in journals such as: i-D Magazine, Dazed and Confused, The Observer, PDN New York and he has exhibited Internationally. Murray’s work is included in numerous public and private collections & he has exhibited internationally, including: The UK, China, France and The Netherlands.
Of his hauntingly beautiful new series, 'Saddleworth Moor', Murray says: “I wanted to shoot landscapes of a beautiful specific area in the North of England. This area has a dark history attributed to and one that will always be home to some the most disturbing crimes in British history.”
Michelle Sank
Michelle Sank (born 1953 in Cape Town) left South Africa in 1978 and has been living in England since 1987. Her images reflect a preoccupation with the human condition and to this end can be viewed as social documentary, alongside fine art. Much of her work encompasses issues around social and cultural diversity.
These sensitive & intimate images are from Sank's 'In My Skin' series, which is her latest & ongoing body of work. Focusing on young people, under 25 living in the UK who are challenging their body image.
“I am looking at those who have had or are considering having cosmetic surgery in order to become more acceptable to themselves and achieve their ideal of being ‘beautiful’. Social consensus in Western society today is particularly focussed on physical beauty and achieving and maintaining the “perfect” face and body.”
So, we present you with three amazing & incredibly diverse contemporary photographic artists, all incredibly different from one another, but nonetheless all of their images are intriguingly striking & beautiful. We look forward to welcoming you to the gallery. All work is available to purchase.