Polly Samson is firmly rooted in the literary world, with five highly acclaimed and widely translated works of fiction published to date. She has been documenting concert tours, on film and digital, for over twenty years. Her sixth book, Luck and Strange Studio/Live, is a full throttle photographic ‘trip’, providing fertile and vivid ground for her inaugural show at Leica Gallery, London titled “Between This Breath and Then”.
The show begins with a portrait of the artist, David Gilmour and their dog, reflected in a large mirror, placed in a misty landscape. It sets the tone for the viewers’ journey and experience, which is all about atmosphere rather than spectacle.
A perspective on the creative process
Samson’s lyrics have shaped some of contemporary music’s most resonant recordings, and she brings a similar sensibility to the photographic medium. Her work offers an intimate perspective not only on the recordings and performance of an album but also on the creative process formed between two longstanding artistic partners — herself and the book’s key subject, David Gilmour.
Light is king throughout her work. A quiet exchange of glances or familiar unspoken communication and trust is captured in parallel with moments of energy and the pure magic of being alive.
Creative identity
Samson’s framing of images reflects her background as a writer; there is a narrative weight while remaining open, suggestive and sometimes playful. One cannot help but notice a very personal story when you look at the image ‘Muse and Magpie’, yet are left wondering what that story is. The exhibition explores questions of authorship and presence — who stands behind the lens, who occupies the frame, and how creative identity is both individual and shared.
Through encountering this exhibition, the curator aims to reveal a different facet of Samson’s practice, expanding her multidisciplinary abilities and photography as a natural extension of her storytelling
voice.
The exhibition will run from March 28 until May 7 at Leica Gallery, London. All works in the exhibition are for sale.
For further information, please contact Lou Proud at gallery.london@leicacamera.com
Gallery hours are Monday – Saturday 10.00 – 18.00 (Thursday 10.00 – 19.00).
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