One of the UK’s major photographers will present his first museum show for 22 years at Bath’s Victoria Art Gallery.
“Roger Mayne: Aspects of a Great Photographer” will run at the Gallery from 26th January to 7th April 2013.
Born in Cambridge in 1929, Mayne made his name as a photographer with his extended project devoted to the street life of North Kensington in the 1950s, an area that was destined for slum clearance.
Working with a lightweight Zeiss Super Ikonta camera and bolstered by gaining the trust of his subjects, Mayne was able to capture the vigour and poverty around him – such as the simple pleasures of children playing in the streets. From the 1960s onwards, he turned his eye to similar outdoor scenes in Leeds, Sheffield, Glasgow, the Mediterranean, Japan and China, latterly focusing on the development of his own children and grandchildren.
Councillor Cherry Beath (Lib-Dem, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is delighted that the Victoria Art Gallery has secured this magnificent exhibition. Roger Mayne’s photographic style chronicles an age from our recent past which will strike a chord with many people. This exhibition may have been more than 20 years in the making but it is well worth the wait!”
Mayne’s many friendships with leading artists of the day influenced his approach and have resulted in some telling portraits of Henry Moore, Terry Frost, Roger Hilton and Gillian Ayres amongst others. In 1957 Mayne undertook a photographic essay on the Bath Academy of Art, focusing on the student experience. Later he took up a teaching position at the Academy under Clifford Ellis (1966-9).
The exhibition, presented in association with Bernard Quaritch Ltd, surveys his career and includes rare vintage prints for sale. It will also feature, for the first time, some of Mayne’s lyrical and expressive drawings of landscapes and nudes.
A free tour of the exhibition will take place with the Victoria Art Gallery Manager Jon Benington on Friday 22nd February from 1pm-1.45pm. Booking is not required but please arrive in good time to be sure of a place.
