Alex Harley
In chronological order captures moments, images and notes collected from exhibitions I have seen. Mainly the photography ones but others, too. It is brief guide to the world of photography, people behind their cameras and their works.
Alex Harley
Private view 8 May 2010
Sight Unseen is a visual exploration of how shadow and darkness function in photography, a medium which relies implicitly on clarity, light and vision to impart ideas, thoughts and interpretations of the world around us.
Stories, rituals and narrative traditions surrounding these elements are found in every era, across a diversity of cultures, and have long been associated with negative phenomena such as nightmares, danger, death, hidden strangers, blindness and the supernatural.


Wireman is the story of the trials and tribulations of an innocent creature, plucked from the rubbish heap by Tom MacDonald. The humour, albeit dark, is evident throughout and the seamless staging of each scene brings Wireman to life in all its dangerous glory.
Turkish archaeologist and artist Hakan Denizer works intricately with the medium of ink. Countless stories emerge from each piece and his work exposes surprising likenesses between Turkish, Indian and even Celtic symbolism.
Ignazio Lasio explores the theme of excess in his work. A clever take on the desire for total abandonment, whether through over indulgence in alcohol or complete immersion in creating art, his ‘quick fix’ solution is a can of inspiration, a combination of these two routes to inner gratification.
In this series, Mary Perrotta looks at the obsession we have with how we are perceived by others. The use of personalised number plates on cars is widespread, an apparent statement by the driver, as to who he or she is, which is often misinterpreted by the viewer. The humour of this situation is illustrated by Perrotta’s work.
Sorin Dumitrescu’s paintings are textured and layered, seemingly simplified figures intricately hidden and simultaneously revealed in a mystical way. His distinctive style is rich in colour and depth, a myriad of subject matter for the viewer to lose themselves in.
Illustrator Craig David Hills uses a variety of media including pen, ink and tissue paper. His work has deeply personal meaning, specific to the moment of creation. While sometimes dealing with chaotic or dark subjects, Hills’ steady and sure draughtsmanship has a reassuring assertiveness.
Sharmila Agnihotri uses her experience as a midwife and her appreciation of the resilience of nature as inspiration in her intricate ink drawings. Each piece appears completely symmetrical and essentially perfect but reveals small imperfections on closer inspection, deliberate flaws which reflect the relationship between chaos and order, harmony and disharmony.
German tattoo artist Jurena Wille studied psychology and her mixed media works deal with concepts such as the stereotypes associated with identity. Her work is graphical and full of colour, the precision and detail of tattoo art apparent throughout.
Didi Bjornerud left Norway in 2003 to study in London and since then has paved a way for herself through the combined worlds of Fashion, Graphics, Painting and Photography. She draws huge inspiration from her homeland and there is a subtle darkness underlying the serene images she presents on silk.


The Photographers' Gallery, 12 February - 18 April 2010
The Deutsche Börse Photography Prize rewards a living photographer, of any nationality, who has made the most significant contribution, in exhibition or publication format, to the medium of photography over the previous year.
The four shortlisted artists for this year's Prize are:


The Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2010 Catalogue is available from ourBookshop for the special exhibition price of £17.99.
This exhibition will be touring toFrankfurter Kunstverein, 12 May - 25 July 2010

