On 14 January 1971, The Photographers’ Gallery opened its doors with The Concerned Photographer, an exhibition that had previously been shown in the United States, Switzerland and Japan, and which presented photography as the optimum medium to document social conditions. This online conference has been organised to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of The Photographers’ Gallery in 1971 and will explore the legacy of its innovative programming within broader infrastructures of exhibition, display and photographic practice, from the 1970s to the present day.
This series of talks, presentations and discussion takes place across two weeks in November and December to showcase new research and practices focusing on the histories of photography in Britain over the last 50 years. The event will also offer a space for thinking about the future of the medium and its display, with panels addressing topics such as materials, process and publishing.
This conference will be held entirely online and is a collaboration between the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art and The Photographers’ Gallery.
This is the first day in a series of talks, presentations and discussions, and will offer space for thinking about the future of the medium and its display, with panels addressing topics such as institutions and infrastructures and pedagogies. Featuring contributions from Shoair Mavlian, Anne McNeill, David Bate, Taous R. Dahmani, Andrew Dewdney, Annebella Pollen, Karen Shepherdson, Juliet Hacking, Anne Lyden and Mahtab Hussain.
More informationExplore ideas around immigration and self-hood through the portraiture of Mahtab Hussain
Artist Mahtab Hussain’s work looks at important themes around immigration, representation, self-hood and the power of the gaze through portraiture. In this new talk he will discuss the important role collaboration plays in responding to the poor visibility and stereotyping of Muslims communities globally and the critical position photography holds in having different conversations that challenge and uplift the understanding of a community that has felt silent and muzzled.
More informationThis is the second day in a series of talks, presentations and discussion, focussing topics such as materials, process and publishing. The day features contribution from Maitreyi Maheshwari, Mo White, Katrina Sluis, Rowan Lear, Peter Ride, Diane Smyth, John Wyver, David Brittain and Jacqueline Ennis-Cole. The day concludes with a keynote presentation by artist Penny Slinger.
More informationHear renowned artist Penny Slinger talk us through her 50-year-long career in this special talk
Featuring Penny Slinger, this event starts with a look at 50% The Visible Woman, the renowned artist’s first book of collage produced during her time at Chelsea College of Art, to the present, with more recent series like My Body in a Box. As an essential part of her work, photography is used for self-analysis and as a tool to disrupt consensual reality. Joined by curator Laura Smith, this conversation will take us through early inspirations like surrealism to other shifts in the artist’s practice as Slinger continues to confound and challenge the status quo.
More informationThis is the final day in our landmark conference where we explore the histories of photography in Britain over the last 50 years. On this last day we will focus on exhibitions & touring and archival practices. Featuring contributions from James Boaden, Ruby Rees-Sheriden, Caitlin Langford, Theo Gordon, Laura Castagnini, Rahaab Allana, Fiona Anderson and a keynote presentation by artist Antonio Roberts.
More informationExplore the tension between copyright and creativity in the work of Antonio Roberts in this new event
For many artists mass sharing, copying and remixing comes naturally as part of their practice. This copying comes in many forms, ranging from using and reusing existing images in a collage to adopting the style of an artist in the creation of new work.
In this presentation Antonio Roberts will introduce you to his artistic and curatorial practice, with a focus on exploring the tension that exists between copyright and creativity, a tension which is complicated by digital technology.
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