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).
Make a donation to help with our running costs
Did you know that Macfilos is run by five photography enthusiasts based in the UK, USA and Europe? We cover all the substantial costs of running the site, and we do not carry advertising because it spoils readers’ enjoyment. Any amount, however small, will be appreciated, and we will write to acknowledge your generosity.
Yesterday, SWMBO and myself took some bags to a local recycling spot, and on the way out, my wife stood to attention and did a salute, almost mid stride. It took me a few seconds to appreciate the gravity of the situation, but all became clear when I looked up from the bunch of keys that I was preparing for re-entry to the car, and saw Mr. Magpie a few yards in front of us, standing on a bollard.
These birds are something that I rarely think about, I know that I used to fancy Susan Stranks, the hostess of a children’s TV show called Magpie (the ITV’s competition to Blue Peter)…, but that is just me I suppose :).
———————————
On a similar note, a number of years ago, I was browsing the new books in the entrance to Hatchards in Piccadilly and was attracted (magpie like) to a pile of new publications, one of which was called ‘Ravens’ (they are actually what Brits call crows) by a Japanese photographer called Masahisa Fukase.
The attraction must have been quite strong, since I picked it up, it was in a sheath, along with a further covering of clingfilm, and without removing it and having a quick flick through, or looking at the display copy as I would normally, turned straight to the nearby cash desk and paid for it.
As I left the shop it struck me momentarily that I had been a bit rash. Anyway, I carried on and I did not look at it again until I arrived home.
It was the beginning of a phase of buying photography books, that did not abate until I reached 60 and was impoverished for five years, between pensions.
Still, I have no regrets and it is a beautiful book that influenced my purchase of a Leica M2 from Red Dot Camera, and the beginning of a hobby that has helped me massively.
Where I have had a camera of some sort since I was just out of short trousers, what had been something that I took with me on holiday, now became almost an obsession, it always goes with me.
I recognise that for me, it continues to be an uphill climb to compose good snaps, but it has also become a great accompaniment to my retirement.
Unlike me, my wife and my youngest daughter, are natural photographers, though neither of them have cameras (other than a mobile).
Notwithstanding, my daughter has made a career out of photography, she has worked for the Press Association initially as an editor, and later as a photographer since she left education, she has a gang of ‘real photographers’ that she spends her working life dispatching around the country to newsworthy events that are likely to be bought by the various forms of media. She contents herself by nicking my Q2 when she goes on tour with real paparazzi to Cannes and other such events.
So magpies have been lucky for our family.
NB: I still prefer the Pink Floyd led by Syd Barratt to the later version led by Dave Gilmour.