The EXPOSED timeline

EXPOSED- Voyeurism, Surveillance & the Camera is the photography exhibition currently on show at London‘s Tate Modern. We all enjoy watching others once in a while but do we know who is watching us?

You certainly get your money’s worth at this show – with 14 large rooms to wander round you will need a good hour. EXPOSED explores the idea of the ‘unseen photographer’ and the interesting qualities of snapshots taken often without the subject’s permission. The result is intriguing and sometimes shocking.

Amongst the lesser known artists you can spot some celebrated photographers including Guy Bourdin, Lee Miller, Helmut Newton and Man Ray.

I was particularly excited by the earlier rooms which explore the tactics of some undercover photographers and displayed the objects within which the cameras were concealed: shoes, walking sticks, even inside suit jackets. Do they still make these detective like items? If so where can I get my own?

A Photograph display in the EXPOSED shop

A few rooms on, in a rather more crowded space, are hung photos of celebrities. I began to think of a time when cameras weren’t so accessible and photos of our favourite celebrities not so common and widespread. Teenagers would attend a concert to not only hear the music but to catch a glimpse of their idolised singer. Imagine the excitement of seeing a band for the first time after only having listened to them. Nowadays we expect to see every move every celebrity makes through photographic images, almost all curiosity is lost.

The final rooms of EXPOSED were not so appealing to me, and by the time I got to them I was exhausted from the rest of the exhibition. Photos and documentation of violent events are displayed. These are surprisingly harrowing to see and bring home the reality of those suffering. It is not an exhibition for children, but for those interested in photography and the way it insidiously records us whether we like it or not, it is worth a visit.

Three elephants, including a design by Lulu Guinness

Elephants are stomping throughout London. How many have you spotted? Working in Hyde Park Corner means I am greeted by them every day on my way to and from work, and then there is the whole family of them living in the park itself.

The public exhibition is known as an Elephant Parade, and similar events have previously taken place all over the world. It raises awareness and money for an important cause – the crisis faced by the endangered Asian elephant. Those art lovers who are especially keen can start their trail for the elephants (of which there are over 250) at The Scoop on the South Bank, where many of the elephants are displayed.

There are elephants for the fashionistas too – and with designers like Lulu Guinness designing for the cause there are some pretty groovy creatures out there. Outside Waterstone’s in Notting Hill there is even a literary themed elephant, appropriately covered completely in words.

The real deal: a baby elephant

Ha – Ha!, letterpress print, 11.75 x 11.75 inches

The artist John Furnival will appeal to many: his works are intelligent, witty and aesthetically very satisfying.

England & Co Gallery on Westbourne Grove is a wonderful space to display art. The high white walls provide an ideal background for the great variety of work they show, contemporary and modern, paintings, constructions, installations and performance art. John Furnival’s work looks beautiful on the walls, even more stylish than the dresses for sale in the trendy clothes shops that surround the gallery.

Never Mind – Doesn’t Matter, letterpress print, 11.75 x 11.75 inches

This exhibition has a strong 60s pop vibe. You could imagine seeing one of Furnival’s prints as an album cover. Indeed Peter Blake (who did the Beatles’ psychedelic Sergeant Pepper’s album cover) is a contemporary of Furnival, and similarities can definitely be seen between both artists’ prints. Many of the works on display are text related, and use repetition obsessively. A favourite of mine is ‘Never Mind – Doesn’t Matter’, a letterpress print, where the green and black compacted words produce a striking design – with a statement we should all be reminded of once in a while!

Eiffel Tower, silkscreen print, 30 x 22.25 inches

England & Co display John Furnival only until 5 June, but don’t fear if you miss out on this exhibition there is sure to be another eclectic mixed show on, so pop in for your art fix.

England & Co, 216 Westbourne Grove, W11 2RH.

Open Monday-Saturday 11-6 pm. Free Entrance.

http://www.englandgallery.com/index.htm