news Archives - Metro Imaging

The 80s: Photographing Britain

Martyn Gosling — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 15:43:24 +0000

Tate Britain, until May 5th 2025

Explore one of the UK’s most critical decades for photography, the 1980s. This exhibition traces the work of a diverse community of photographers, collectives, and publications that created radical responses to the turbulent Thatcher years. Set against the backdrop of race uprisings, the miner strikes, section 28, the AIDS pandemic, and gentrification – be inspired by stories of protest and change.

At the time, photography was used for social change, political activism and artistic and photographic experiments. See powerful images that gave voice and visibility to underrepresented groups in society. This includes work depicting the Black Arts Movement, queer experience, South Asian diaspora, and the increased representation of women in photography.

This exhibition examines how photography collectives and publications highlighted these often-unseen stories, featured in innovative photography journals such as Ten 8 and Cameraworks. It also examines the development of Autograph ABP, Half Moon Photography Workshop, and Hackney Flashers.

Metro Imaging collaborated for many months in production, utilizing a range of services including film scanning, printing, mounting and framing. There are over 250 works spread over ten rooms and if you get the chance it is well worth a visit.

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Isabelle Young, The Importance of Elsewhere

Martyn Gosling — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 12:05:27 +0000

Isabelle Young, SOCO Gallery, Charlotte, NC USA

SOCO Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition by artist Isabelle Young. This will be the artist’s first exhibition with the gallery and first solo exhibition of work in the United States.

Isabelle Young is a British artist based in London, but her work is about somewhere else, elsewhere, as the title of the exhibition denotes. Born and raised in London, the artist was strongly tied to her Italian roots. Now, her time in Italy is vital to her artistic practice. She describes her time there as “urgent, and I return to a part of myself which I only find in Italy.” Young observes heightened curiosity in unfamiliar places. She frequently travels to Italy but each visit feels as though it is new.

It is not until she returns home to London that she can unpack the new work she has created, adding “It gives me a new perspective which I might not immediately have until I’m out of context from the places I was photographing. A bit like writing, you need to lock it in a drawer for a bit then go back to it.”

Isabelle has always stressed the importance of the production process in her practice and Metro Imaging has been collaborating with her since her time at the RCA. This series is available as limited edition archival c-type prints. Click the link to find out more about our range of printing services or to order a sample pack.

Isabelle Young SOCO

Isabelle Young, Roma Aparta

All images ©Isabelle Young 2024

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Giles Duley, Atelier Jolie, New York

Martyn Gosling — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 09:22:06 +0000

Giles Duley, Atelier Jolie, New York

Duley is CEO of Legacy of War Foundation, photographer, writer, chef and presenter, born in 1971 in London. His work focuses on the long-term humanitarian impact of conflict.

We have collaborated with Giles over many years and most recently produced archival Ctype prints for an exhibition and lecture series in New York in collaboration with Atelier Jolie. Giles presented images from his diary highlighting the horrors of war, alongside large format images from his series ‘The things they carried’.

Starting his career as a music photographer, Duley worked with the likes of Mariah Carey, Oasis and Lenny Kravitz for publications including Q, Vogue, Sunday Times and Elle. In 2000 his image of Marilyn Manson was voted amongst the 100 greatest rock photographs of all time.

In 2004 Duley changed his focus to documentary work, partnering with well-respected charities such as HI (Humanity and Inclusion), EMERGENCY, Save the Children and UNHCR to highlight lesser-known stories deserving of public attention and action. Although documenting challenging, and at times, horrific situations, Giles captures the strength of those who fight adversity rather than succumb. His photographs draw the viewer to the subject, creating intimacy and empathy for lives differing from ours only in circumstance.

Legacy of War Foundation is an international charity, founded in 2017 by Giles Duley, that provides support to civilians affected by conflict. Its mission is simple – to help individuals and communities rebuild their own lives after the trauma of war. They believe in providing the tools, training, education, and other support – whether it be physical, psychological, or economic – that enables those they work with to shape their own futures. Legacy of War Foundation also advocates for NO MORE WAR and strives to create awareness about war’s long-term effects on civilians through collaborative art and activism.

All images ©Giles Duley 2024

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Zanele Muholi Tate Modern

Martyn Gosling — Fri, 03 May 2024 16:00:57 +0000

Zanele Muholi, Tate Modern 6 June 2024 to 26 January 2025

Metro Imaging is proud to announce a major UK survey of visual activist Zanele Muholi.

Zanele Muholi one of the most acclaimed global photographers working today. With over 260 photographs, this exhibition presents the full breadth of their career to date. Muholi describes themself as a visual activist. From the early 2000s, they have documented and celebrated the lives of South Africa’s Black lesbian, gay, trans, queer and intersex communities.

Despite the equality promised by South Africa’s 1996 constitution, its LGBTQIA+ community remains a target for violence and prejudice and the early series Only Half the Picture, captures moments of love and intimacy alongside intense images alluding to traumatic events. In Faces and Phases each participant looks directly at the camera, challenging the viewer to hold their gaze. These images and the accompanying testimonies form a growing archive of a community of people who are risking their lives by living authentically in the face of oppression and discrimination.

Other key series of works, include Brave Beauties, which celebrates empowered non-binary people and trans women, many of whom have won Miss Gay Beauty pageants, and Being, a series of tender images of couples which challenge stereotypes and taboos.

Muholi turns the camera on themself in the ongoing series Somnyama Ngonyama – translated as ‘Hail the Dark Lioness’. These powerful and reflective images explore themes including labour, racism, Eurocentrism and sexual politics.

The exhibition is based on the artist’s 2020-21 exhibition which Metro Imaging produced for Tate Modern and will include new archival Black and White prints which Metro also mounted and framed. We have also supported with an extensive area of wall vinyl which adds impact to this incredible and thought provoking exhibition. Follow the link here to find out about the exhibition, how to book and to discover more about Zanele Muholi.

All images ©ZaneleMuholi2024

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Nick Waplington – Living Room

Martyn Gosling — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 15:12:33 +0000

Nick Waplington – Living Room

Hamiltons Gallery, London. 14th March -25th May 2024

UK and US-based artist Nick Waplington works with photography as a medium to submerge in communities resulting in personal involvement and visual work.

He caught John Berger’s, Richard Avedon’s and the rest of the world’s attention in the 1990s with Living Room and has since then created recognizable, frank representations of people and their sociopolitical backgrounds ranging from a DIY, post Punk youth navigating Thatcherism, the heyday of House and rave culture in 1990s NYC or documenting the last collection of close friend Alexander McQueen at his London studio.

Waplington has had solo shows at the Tate Britain and The Photographers Gallery in London among other institutions and his works are part of the permanent collections of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, Victoria and Albert Museum and Government Art Collection in London or the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Metro Imaging is very proud to have a long association with Nick and Master Printer John Cleur has printed a series of archival Ctypes for the exhibition.

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Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind

Martyn Gosling — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 12:00:35 +0000

Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind

Tate Modern, 15th February to 1st September 2024

Tate Modern presents the UK’s largest exhibition celebrating the ground breaking and influential work of artist and activist Yoko Ono (b1933 Tokyo). Ono is a trailblazer of early conceptual and participatory art, film and performance, a celebrated musician, and a formidable campaigner for world peace.

Spanning seven decades of the artist’s powerful, multidisciplinary practice from the mid-1950’s to now. Yoko ONO: Music and Mind will trace the development of her innovative work and its enduring impact on contemporary culture. Conceived in close collaboration with Ono’s studio, the exhibition will bring together over 200 works including instruction pieces and scores, installations, films, music and photography, revealing a radical approach to language, art and participation that continues to speak to the present moment.

Metro Imaging is renowned for its close collaboration with museums and curators and is proud to have collaborated with Tate Modern on the exhibition production, producing archival black and white prints and exhibition framing services.

The exhibition is kindly supported by John j. Studzinski CBE. The exhibition is curated by Juliet Bingham, Curator, International Art with Andrew de Brun, Assistant Curator, International Art, Tate Modern and Patrizia Dander, head of Curatorial Department with Catherine Frerejean, Assistant Curator, Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen.

Main Image: Yoko Ono with glass hammer 1967, from HALF-A-WIND show, Lisson Gallery London 1967, ©Clay Perry / Artwork ©Yoko Ono

Additional Images: Yoko Ono cut piece 1964 performance ©Yoko Ono; Yoko Ono, Fly, 1970 ©Yoko Ono; Yoko Ono, Add Color (refugee boat) ©Yoko Ono

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William Joshua Templeton: Ways and Means

Martyn Gosling — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 12:53:13 +0000

William Joshua Templeton: Ways and Means, River Pollution in England

Metro Imaging has been collaborating with artist and environmental campaigner William Joshua Templeton in the production of archival Giclee prints in support of his upcoming publication launch ‘Ways and Means: River Pollution in England.’

Published by la Mentale Editions, and shot in 2021 – 22 across England on expired 120mm film (to question the idea of waste), the project explores the rapidly declining health of English rivers which are at risk from sewage pollution and chemicals from agriculture and industry.

Rivers are a place for play, celebration, love, development, and exploration. They provide a remedy for both physical and mental illness, a focus on the community, a place to live, a source of power, water, and food. An incredible gift from nature and central to our survival. William focuses on rivers to highlight a relatable climate problem, inspiring the viewer to ask what rivers mean to them, how they are connected to the problems, and also encouraging them to act to save them. ‘As a society we have choices, and we can make a difference. If we pollute the water, we pollute ourselves.’

As a Hahnemuhle Platinum Certified Studio, we have opted to produce archival Giclee prints on a Natural Line Agave paper which is in line with our ongoing commitment to sustainability and the reduction of environmental impact. We have also framed the works for the supporting launch exhibition.

The publication will be launched at Torbay Gallery, Hackney on Friday 9th February with further dates set for Bristol and Oxford – please link here for tickets and information.

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Recent Portraits – Brian David Stevens

Martyn Gosling — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 15:16:51 +0000

Recent Portraits – Brian David Stevens

12th January – 23rd February 2024

Colony Room Green, 4 Heddon Street W1B 4BL

Ziggy Green opens its doors at 4 Heddon Street, London. The venue is a celebration of David Bowie on the ground floor and downstairs will be home to an inspired art installation and immersive bar – a recreation of Soho’s infamous arts and drinking den, the Colony Room Club.

We have been collaborating with renowned portrait photographer Brian David Stevens to produce six new portraits of artists, musicians and performers. The works will be exhibited early next year and the archival Black and white prints are a stunning addition to the venue.

The original Colony Room Club, founded in 1948 at 41 Dean Street by Muriel Belcher which bore witness to the greats of British society from Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud to Kate Moss and Damien Hirst, had a brief and controversial hiatus after its surprise closure in 2008. It has been meticulously recreated by former Colony Room Club member and YBA Darren Coffield, alongside the Daisy Green team. Coffield, author of ‘Tales from the Colony Room’ describes the project as “A love letter to London’s lost bohemia”.

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Women in Revolt! Tate Britain

Martyn Gosling — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 12:08:25 +0000

Women in Revolt! Tate Britain

Nov 8th to 7th April 2024

Art, Activism and the Women’s movement in the UK 1970–1990

The first of its kind, this exhibition is a wide-ranging exploration of feminist art by over 100 women artists working in the UK. It shines a spotlight on how networks of women used radical ideas and rebellious methods to make an invaluable contribution to British culture. Their art helped fuel the women’s liberation movement during a period of significant social, economic and political change.

In the 1970s and 1980s a new wave of feminism erupted. Women used their lived experiences to create art, from painting and photography to film and performance, to fight against injustice. This included taking a stand for reproductive rights, equal pay and race equality. This creativity helped shape a period of pivotal change for women in Britain, including the opening of the first women’s refuge and the formation of the British Black Arts Movement.

Despite long careers, these artists were often left out of the artistic narratives of the time. This will be the first time many of their works have been on display since the 1970s. Through their urgent and powerful art visitors will encounter a productive, politically engaged set of communities, who changed the face of British culture and paved the way for future generations of artists.

Metro Imaging is a proud partner and in addition to our exhibition printing services the team has worked closely with curator Linsey Young and the Tate Britain team on the exhibition production. Many of the works are unique vintage pieces and our dedicated framing department has produced framing profiles that are non-invasive ensuring that artworks are protected with a reversable archival process.

Over many months the team worked closely with curators and artists in producing over 150 classic, box and tray frames as well as works mounted to Dibond with subframes, ensuring that every detail was respectfully attended to.

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RE/SISTERS Exhibition

Martyn Gosling — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 17:22:59 +0000

RE/SISTERS Exhibition: A lens on Gender and Ecology

Barbican Museum and Art Gallery, London

Thu 5 October to Sun 4th Jan 2024

We are delighted to announce a major group exhibition exploring the relationship between gender and ecology at Barbican Museum and Art Gallery, London.

Featuring around 50 international women and gender non-conforming artists, RE/SISTERS is a new exhibition featuring work from emerging and established artists across the fields of photography and film, the exhibition highlights the systemic links between the oppression of women and the degradation of the planet.

Works in the exhibition explore how women’s understanding of our environment has often resisted the logic of capitalist economies which places the exploitation of the planet at its centre. They are presented alongside works of an activist nature that show how women are regularly at the forefront of advocating and caring for the planet.

Reflecting on a range of themes, from extractive industries to the politics of care, RE/SISTERS explores environmental and gender justice as indivisible parts of a global struggle. It seeks to address existing power structures that threaten our increasingly precarious ecosystem.

Metro Imaging has provided a range of services including Scanning, B&W, Ctype and Giclee printing. The gallery’s curatorial team implemented sustainable and low environmental impact policies by working as closely as possible with local partners and we are very proud to have played our part with this incredible exhibition.

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