CURRENT EXHIBITION

Simon Roberts: Pierdom
November 8—December 21, 2013

We are delighted to be presenting the third solo exhibition, of work by British photographer Simon Roberts. Photographed over the course of the past three years, Pierdom is a comprehensive and stunning survey of Britain’s 19th Century pleasure piers.

Blackpool South, 2011 © Simon Roberts

With Pierdom, Roberts has turned his camera to the specific architectural remnants that bear witness to leisure of the past. Built along the coastline of Britain, these piers were originally constructed as landing docks for pleasure steamers, but progressively catered to the needs of seaside day-trippers, who were escaping the grime and smog of the cities. In their heyday, the ‘pleasure piers’ incorporated cafes, casinos, theaters and even tramways. The large scale color photographs are often made from elevated positions—a trademark of Roberts’ oeuvre—and with the use of large-format sheet film. 

The photographer has meticulously utilized formal devices associated with the picturesque—asymmetry, perspective and juxtaposition—resulting in an outstanding body of work that celebrates color, form and detail. From minimalist photographs such as Weston-Super-Mare Grand and Clevedon B, that demonstrate a quiet palette, photographs that pop with color such as Blackpool South, Teignmouth and Paignton, to those such as Saltburn-on-Sea, that provide an important social and historical context, the Pierdom series is a truly accomplished body of work that speaks to a wide audience. 

This is a must-see exhibition, and is accompanied by the publication Pierdom (Dewi Lewis, 2013). 

Photographs from the series are offered in two editions/sizes: 20" x 24", Edition 7 + 2 APs and 48" x 60", Edition 4 + 1 AP. Prices range from $1,600 to $12,800 depending on size and edition. 

The exhibition comprises nine photographs, with a wider selection from the series available to view online here. 

Simon Roberts (b.1974), has won numerous awards for his work, which explores important social, economic and political issues. His photographs have been exhibited widely, including solo exhibitions at the National Media Museum (UK), Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago and Museum of Contemporary Art, Shanghai. His first two significant bodies of work, Motherland and We English, were received to critical acclaim, published as monographs by Chris Boot Ltd. and shown as solo exhibitions at the Klompching Gallery in 2007 and 2009 respectively. Roberts' work is represented in major public and private collections, including the Deutsche Börse Art Collection, George Eastman House, Pallant House and Wilson Centre for Photography.