Piccadilly at Night c 1960 by Bob Collins, photo courtesy Museum of London
Judith Schrut has been to the Museum of London to view its eye-opening new photography show.
“As daylight fades and darkness falls, London is transformed.” These words aptly set the stage for visitors entering London Nights, the newly-opened photography exhibition at the Museum of London.
This major show features 200 evocative works by 50 artists from the late 19th century to the present day, each capturing a different experience of the capital by night.
Amongst the images of London’s nocturnal world at rest, work and play are astonishing works by early pioneers of night photography Paul Martin, George Davison Reid and Alvin Langdon Coburn; Bob Collins’ captivating street photographs; Chloe Dewe Mathews’ shimmering, moving images of a nighttime River Thames and Bill Brandt’s haunting shots of dark street corners, families in crowded bedrooms and strangers huddled together in wartime underground shelters. It’s a fascinating and worthwhile display.
From series Southwestern 2007-10 by Niall McDiarmid, photo courtesy Museum of London
By the way, if you’re passionate about photography, London’s got plenty more filmic treats coming soon. Opening at the Barbican Art Gallery in late June are the first UK retrospective of American documentary photographer Dorothea Lange (1895-1965) and a solo exhibition of acclaimed British contemporary photographer Vanessa Winship. The extraordinary Killed Negatives: Unseen Images of 1930s America is on at the Whitechapel Gallery until 26 August and Shape of Light: 100 Years Photography and Abstract Art continues at Tate Modern until 14 October. And in October the V&A unveils its new state-of-the-art Photography Centre, accompanied by a matching festival. We’ll be sure to keep you posted.
Photographs from Night Flowers by Damien Frost, photo courtesy Museum of London
London Nights runs until 11 November 2018 at the Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN. Museum entry is free. Tickets to the exhibition are £8 to £10, under 16s free. Find out more at museumoflondon.org.uk.
