Shaped by War: photographs by Don McCullin
11 September - 21 November 2010.
‘Photography for me is not looking, it’s
feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re
never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your
pictures.’ Don McCullin.
An exhibition of photographs by Somerset-based
photographer Don McCullin will take place at the Bath & North
East Somerset Council-run Victoria Art Gallery later this year.
The free exhibition will run from September 11
– November 21. It will be open Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 5pm and
1.30 – 5pm on Sundays.
Don McCullin, who now lives in Shepton Mallet,
is one of Britain’s greatest photographers. For 50 years his
photographs have shaped our awareness of modern conflict and its
consequences. Today, despite leaving photojournalism to explore
other photographic genres, his work continues to be influenced by
his experiences: his life has been shaped by war.
This exhibition, timed to coincide with his
75th birthday, explores McCullin’s story and sets his work in
context. Over 100 photographs have been printed specially for the
show by McCullin. They reveal the full range of his work, from his
early years in working class north London and evacuation in 1940 to
the Somerset countryside, to his hard-hitting work for the
Sunday Times Magazine, followed by the reflective
landscapes and still lifes of the last two decades.
The show also includes personal memorabilia on
loan from Don McCullin such as his Vietnam army helmet and boots,
press passes and deportation orders, and a Nikon F camera that
saved his life by taking a bullet when he was in Cambodia.
Councillor Terry Gazzard, the Council’s
Cabinet Member for Tourism, Leisure & Culture (Conservative,
Abbey) said: "This is a fascinating exhibition which Bath &
North East Somerset Council is very proud to be hosting. The
exhibition is free to all visitors too; we expect it to be very
popular."
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s
Victoria Art Gallery Manager, Jon Benington, said: "McCullin, one
of Somerset's most famous residents, had an uncanny knack for
penetrating to the heart of any conflict situation, without taking
sides. His compassionate lens reveals the human impact of the
events he witnessed, rattling otherwise complacent cages and
lingering long in the memory."
A free audioguide tour of the exhibition by
Don McCullin will be available.
Ends
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The exhibition will open at the preview on
Friday 10 September by broadcaster and journalist, Kate Adie, in
the presence of the Chairman of Bath and North East Somerset
Council, Cllr Sarah Bevan. Kate is a friend of Don's and was
the first BBC female war correspondent.
A date for an ‘in conversation’ event with Don
McCullin will be announced on the Gallery’s website in
September.
An Imperial War Museum touring exhibition,
originated at IWM North in 2010.
The exhibition has been supported by: John
Jones London, Hamiltons and NKS Contracts Ltd.
For further information and images please
contact Sue Lucy at sue_lucy@bathnes.gov.uk or Jon
Benington jon_benington@bathnes.gov.uk
or look at our website http://www.victoriagal.org.uk/