EYEMAZING

Eyemazing: The New Collectible Art Photography

Thames & Hudson (2013)

We are delighted to bring to your attention, the recently published book, Eyemazing: The New Collectible Art Photography, edited by Eyemazing Susan—nom de plume of Susan Zadeh, founder of the eponymous EYEMAZING Magazine.

This new publication, published by Thames & Hudson, features the work of 131 photographers, considered to be the best work published in the Eyemazing magazine over the course of the past ten years. The publication is arranged into two broad categories: 'Dreams and Memories of a Past Life' and 'Our Body, Our Cage. Our Body, Our Home'. 

The publication is described by World Photo as "A breathtaking overview of the most collectible and daringly original contemporary art photography". 

We are also thrilled to note that Antony Crossfield and John Blakemore, both represented by our gallery, are featured in the publication.

See more information about the book HERE.

JOHN BLAKEMORE ARCHIVE

Since 1903, the United Kingdom's Art Fund – the national fundraising charity for art – has helped over 700 museums and galleries throughtout the UK acquire thousands of great works of art from 2,000 BC to the present day for the public to enjoy.

In 2010, it assisted the Birmingham Central Library (Birmingham, UK), to acquire the John Blakemore Archive "for the British nation". This is what they've said about John Blakemore's life's work:

"This archive represents a unique collection of over 1,400 pieces relating to the life and work of one of Britain's most important photographers from photographs made in Libya in 1956 through to large colour works exhibited in 2002 and the rich selection of hand-made books made between 1984 and 2009". –Art Fund

 Amergen – The Garden In Winter, 1991 ©John Blakemore

12 1/4" x 16 3/8" (image size), vintage silver gelatin print, open edtion.

Klompching Gallery is the exclusive art dealer representing John Blakemore in the United States. We have an excellent range of his vintage photographs available, in addition to recently editioned photographs. All of his photographs are silver gelatin prints, hand-printed by the photographer himself.

You can read previous posts about John Blakemore on our blog here and here. To view the inventory of his artworks for acquisition purposes, please make an appointment with the gallery.  

John Blakemore: The Master Printer

"I can't believe they're photographs", "Stunning", "Truly masterful", "Incredible show", are statements resonating through the gallery right now. It's such a pleasure to be exhibiting these masterfully-crafted photographs, and to witness our visitors' recognition of the beauty, accomplishment and importance of these wonderful photographic gems.

"The exploration and control of process is fundamental to serious expression in any medium. The print is the interface between photographer and viewer, the carrier of meaning, of emotional resonance. The exploration of the tonal scale has been fundamental to my practice since the mid 1970's, the tonal scale of the print parallels the musical scale, a print may be 'played' pianissimo or fortissimo, the tonal structures of a print provide a first level of connotation to which a viewer responds prior to an investigation of content. I am intrigued by the limits of tonality, in extending what a print, a photograph might look like". —John Blakemore

Amergen–The Garden In Winter (1991) ©John Blakemore

Amergen–The Garden In Winter (1991) DETAIL ©John Blakemore

Incredibly, John Blakemore's photographs are very affordable. As with many of his generation, he did not edition his work until recently. Although highly regarded in Britain, and despite having his work held in many renowned collections such as the Victoria & Albert Museum of Art, Bibliothéque Nationale and Los Angeles County Musuem, his work has never flooded the market – so, in reality, you won't find very many prints of each photograph.

John Blakemore has now 'retired' many of his negatives, making the vintage prints in our exhibition the last prints being offered on the primary market.

PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

When you ask an experienced collector, what one should look for when collecting photographs. The same answer can be heard over and over—buy what you're passionate about. If you see a photograph and it speaks to you in some way, it will provide you with pleasure and enrich your life for many years.

In many ways, the same can be said when selecting artists to represent at the gallery. We're often asked how we choose our artists and what it is that we're looking for. Of course, there are many concerns that we address. That said, there has to be passion for what we see. The photographs need to speak to us.

Our most recent signing is no exception. In fact, we've been wanting to work with John Blakemore for awhile, and are delighted the timing is now right to do so.

Tulipomania II ©John Blakemore

I first met John in 1989, when I attended one of his artist talks. To say that I was mesmerized is an understatement. A few years later, I was very fortunate to be taught by him on the BA (Hons) Photographic Studies program at the University of Derby. The darkroom workshops with him were nothing short of magical. He taught me to print, to 'make' a photograph, to 'see'. We became friends.

It's a huge honor to work with all of our artists. But, there's no denying that it's pretty special for the student to represent the teacher! We look forward to re-introducing his artworks to the US market, to looking after his legacy and to sharing the passion that we have for his magical photographs.