© Sid White-Jones - ’The Colony Room Club’ (Instillation View) - Clancy Gebler Davies.
I recently visited the exhibition ‘Shot in Soho’ at The Photographers’ Gallery, London. Curated by Julian Rodriguez and Karen McQuaid, the show presents the vibrancy and legacy of Londons Soho district through the eyes of photographers both old and new such as; Anders Petersen, Corinne Day, Daragh Soden, Gebler Davies, John Goldblatt, Kelvin Brodie & William Klein.
© Sid White-Jones - ‘The Undressing Room’ (Detail) - John Goldblatt.
© Sid White-Jones - ‘Working Locally’ - Daragh Soden & ‘Soho Observed’ - Kelvin Brodie (Instillation View).
Whilst the photographs on show span over one century, each image still reflects a Soho that has retained its youthful character by refusing to merge with the everyday normality of its neighbours. The show is full of recognisable faces, presenting an amalgamation of characters from all walks of life such as those you come in to contact with everyday; the businessman, the biker and the waitress, but also household names including Francis Bacon, Kate Moss & Tracey Emin.
© Sid White-Jones - ‘Men Hiding Their Faces/69 Sauna & Massage’ (Detail) - William Klein.
© Sid White-Jones - ‘The Brewer street Work’ (Detail) - Corrine Day.
‘In many ways Soho has remained London’s rebellious teenager. It has been a place where anything goes and as creative as it has been sleazy. Part movie-set, part crime scene, part unfolding spectacle, Soho in recent decades has been the centre of the music, fashion, design, film and the sex industry – a place of unresolved riddles, a place of shadows and also somewhere to call home for incoming communities. Through a range of photographs, ephemera and varied presentations, the exhibition reflects the breadth of life in a part of the capital that has always courted controversy and celebrated difference.’ - Shot in Soho, Press Release, 2019.
For more info on The Photographers’ Gallery visit -
W: www.thephotographersgallery.org.uk
TW: @TPGallery