AIPAD 2015: SIMON ROBERTS

Clevedon A, 2011

Series Title: Pierdom

Number of artworks at AIPAD: 2

Edition: 7 + 2APs & 4 + 1AP

Size: 20" x 24” & 48” x 60”

Medium: C-Type

Year: 2010-2013

Pierdom is a comprehensive and stunning survey of Britain's 19th Century pleasure piers. Simon Roberts has turned his camera to the specific architectural remnants that bear witness to leisure of the past. The large-scale color photographs are often made from elevated positions—a trademark of Roberts' oeuvre—and with the use of large-format 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.

"Roberts' work is significant because he combines a respect for his subject and the desire to communicate important social, economic and political issues, with a contemporary and highly talented approach to image making. His approach is one of creating wide-ranging surveys of our time, which he does through eloquent and arresting photographs."—Greg Hobson, Curator of Photographs, National Media Museum, 2011

Simon Roberts lives and works in Brighton, UK. His photographs have been exhibited widely, including solo exhibitions at the National Media Museum (UK), Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago and Contemporary Art, Shanghai. His work is represented in major public and private collections, including the Deutsche Borse Art Collection, George Eastman House, Pallant House and Wilson Centre for Photography.

The series is the subject of Roberts' third monograph, Pierdom, published by Dewi Lewis in 2013.

SIMON ROBERTS: Multimedia Museum, Moscow

Landscape Studies of a Small Island
April 25 – May 25, 2014

We are pleased to announce that Simon Roberts will be exhibiting at the Multimedia Museum in Moscow, as part of the UK Russia Year of Culture 2014. The exhibition has been curated by Karen McQuaid, Curator at The Photographer's Gallery, London. 

The exhibition draws on a selection of photographs from Roberts' We English and Pierdom series, exhibited at Klompching Gallery as solo shows in 2009 and 2013.

"With renewed interest in the relationship of individuals and groups to the landscape, Roberts focused on social practices, customs, cultural landmarks, economic and political scenarios that define his 'small island' as uniquely British. With echoes of 'history painting', these photographs point to contemporary issues specific to Britain, but equally engage with universal ideas of the human relationship to landscape, of identity and belonging".—Curatorial statement.

For more information about the exhibition, visit the museum website.

To view more of the photographs, visit the We English and Pierdom website pages. 

Brighton West, 2011 © Simon Roberts

2014 LUNAR NEW YEAR

In Chinese astrology, 2014 is the year of the Horse. In celebration of this, we thought it timely to showcase some photographs by our artists, that feature horses in one way or another. These photographs are available for purchase, let us know if you have an interest in hanging these on your walls!

Gong Xi Fa Cai! (Happy New Year!)

Herero Cavalry Marching © Jim Naughten

The Hunt © Antony Crossfield

Pavel and Listok © Simon Roberts

THE BIG FREEZE

Here in New York City, we are experiencing especially cold temperatures—reminding the gallery team of some wonderful landscapes made by our artists. Why venture outside when you can have these hanging on your walls?

Several of these photographs are close to selling out, so if you see something you truly love, we recommend an acquisition without delay! 

Current pricing and availability is available by contacting us at the gallery. 

Snowbound, 2003–2007 © Lisa M. Robinson

C-Types | Ed: 15 + 2APs | 28" x 36"

See more from the Snowbound series here

Polyarnye Nochi, 2004–2005 © Simon Roberts

C-Types | Ed: 6 + 2APs & 10 + 2APs | 30" x 40" & 20" x 24"

See more from the Polyarnye Nochi series here

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.

SIMON ROBERTS: SPECIAL EDITIONS

Ahead of Simon Roberts' 3rd solo exhibition at the Klompching Gallery, we would like to bring to your attention the special editions and box-sets, featuring the photographer's artwork. These are thoughtfully produced, have excellent production values, and offer an affordable option to acquire Roberts' work for private collections, as well as art patrons obtaining works for museums/institutions. 

PIERDOM: SPECIAL EDITION PRINT + BOOK COMBINATION

EDITION: 50 + 5 APs

Pierdom book (Dewi Lewis, 2013)

Pages: 160 | Photographs: 81 | Binding: Hardback

ISBN: 978-1-907893-40-7 | 9.5" x 12"

Print of 'Clevedon Pier #C'

Year: 2011 Printed: 2013 | 11" x 14" | Archival Pigment Print

PIERDOM: SPECIAL EDITION PRINTS BOX SET

EDITION: 9 + 2 APs

Set of 15 prints from the Pierdom series

Year: 2011 Printed: 2011 | 11" x 14" | C-Type Prints

Presented in embossed clothbound box

WE ENGLISH: SPECIAL EDITION PRINT + BOOK BOX SET

EDITION: 100 + 10 APs

We English book (Chris Boot Ltd., 2009)

Pages: 112 | Photographs: 56 | Binding: Hardback

ISBN: 978-1-905712-14-4 | 14.1" x 11.4"

Print of 'Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire'

Year: 2008 Printed: 2009 | 11" x 14" | C-Type Print

Also containing: copy of a local newspaper collected by

Simon Roberts' journey around England. 

Presented in embossed clothbound box and slipcase

MOTHERLAND: SPECIAL EDITION PRINTS + BOOK BOX SET

EDITION: 3 + 1 AP

Motherland book (Chris Boot Ltd., 2007)

Pages: 192 | Photographs: 152 | Binding: Hardback

ISBN: 978-1-905712-03-8 | 9.6" x 7.9"

Complete set of 153 prints from the Motherland series

Year: 2008 Printed: 2008 | 8" x 10" | C-Type Prints

Presented in embossed clothbound box

Edition 1/3: acquired privately
Edition 2/3: held in the George Eastman House Photography Collection
Edition 3/3: available

MOTHERLAND: SPECIAL EDITION PRINT

EDITION: 50

Print of 'Taxis Cross The Frozen Lena River'

Year: 2004 Printed: 2008 | 11" x 14" | Archival Pigment Print

SIMON ROBERTS: BOOK REVIEW

Weston-Super-Mare-Grand, 2011 © Simon Roberts

PIERDOM
Review by Sean O'Hagan, The Observer, August 31, 2013

"Pierdom is another instalment in Simon Roberts' ongoing visual documentation of modern England. He has photographed every British Pier using a 4x5 plate camera, which has also captured the landscape from which they extend, the sea around them and the sky above them". 

"This is a much cooler and detached approach than, say, Martin Parr's seaside photographs, and shares a certain similarity of style with John Davies's documentary photographs of British landscapes. Here and there, though, there are hints of John Hinde's postcard vision of Britain as one big unreal leisure theme park, especially in Roberts' wonderful diptych of Walton-on-the-Naze pier". 

" ... a very beautiful book from a master of stillness, light and landscape".

Read the full review HERE.

Pierdom (Dewi Lewis, 2013)

Hardback

160 pages, 81 color plates

$55USD

ISBN: 978-1-907893-40-7

PIERDOM will be exhibited at Klompching Gallery this Fall:
Simon Roberts — Pierdom: November 7–December 21, 2013.
Artist Reception: Thursday, November 7, 6pm–8pm.

Simon Roberts' Best Shot

Screen grab from The Guardian website. ©The Guardian

Gallery artist, Simon Roberts, is interviewed by Sarah Phillips for The Guardian. The interview is part of newspaper's insightful My Best Shot series, in which photographers talk about a specifc photograph they've made.

"The print is 2m across, so when it's exhibited, you can see all the other details – such as the mini versions of Stonehenge, the Magna Carta, Nelson's column and Big Ben decorating each jump. All these elements come together to provide a theatrical presentation of the history of Britain. The image itself looks painterly and unreal, like an extreme digital composition, while overhead there's a sinister black blob: an eye-in-the-sky TV camera reminding us that this whole event is actually a stage set.".–Simon Roberts

The interview in The Guardian can be read in full here.

If you're in London, Simon Roberts' photograph is currently on show in the well received  exhibition, Landmark: The Fields of Photogpraphy, which we posted about here. Reviews of the exhibition, including mentions of Simon Roberts, have appeared in the Financial Times and The Independent.

Simon Roberts at Somerset House

 

South Downs Way (2008) ©Simon Roberts

We are so pleased to announce that gallery artist, Simon Roberts, has five photographic artworks included in the group exhibition Landmark: The Fields of Photography at Somerset House (London), opening on March 14th.

Below, is an extract from the exhibition statement:

"Today the environment is at the heart of everyone’s concerns: rising sea levels, desertification, deforestation, the melting Poles and retreating glaciers, extinction of species on land and in sea, pollution of myriad forms, and many other ills trouble our minds on a daily basis.

Photographers are our eyes and ears, bringing the facts of what is happening to Planet Earth to our attention in insightful and eloquent ways. From straightforward, even brutal documents, through pithy and ironic commentaries, to poetic and enigmatic visions, many of the best photographers working today travel the world (or simply stay at home) looking around them at the ‘marks’ humans have made and are making on the land ...

It can even be argued that ‘landscape/environment’ is the most important and vital genre in contemporary photography, and it is no coincidence that the most notable names in the field today are associated with it: Mitch Epstein, Nadav Kander, Ryan McGinley, Robert Adams, Simon Norfolk, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Lee Friedlander, Simon Roberts, Toshio Shibata, and Robert Polidori number among the masters featured in the show.

To this group are added brilliant emerging talents: Pieter Hugo, Raphael Dallaporta, Michael Najjar, Olaf Otto Becker, Penelope Umbrico, Harry Cory Wright and a number of younger practitioners who have already left their own indelible ‘marks’ on landscape photography.

The exhibition is curated by William A. Ewing, the noted photographic curator and historian. As the author of many books and the curator of hundreds of exhibitions in Europe and the Americas over the past forty years, Mr Ewing brings a wide-ranging knowledge of the field and an acute eye to bear on this important and timely subject."

Landmark: The Fields Of Photography

Somerset House (London), March 14 – April 28

Curated by William A. Ewing

GREAT GIFT IDEA

Gallery artist, Simon Roberts, has established himself as a photographer with a consistent and strong vision. His first two photography series — Motherland and We English —have been received to critical acclaim, with We English earning the artist his first solo museum exhibition at the National Media Museum in Bradford (UK). Both projects were published as monographs by Chris Boot Ltd. The Motherland book is now out of print and his second book, We English, is also selling well.

We have four copies of the We English special edition box set. The special edition includes a book which is signed, dated and editioned, an 11"x14" C-type print and a copy of a local newspaper collected on Simon Roberts' journey around England. They're housed in a silver/gray embossed clothbound slipcase, with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Limited Edtion: 100 + 10 AP's

Print: Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire

Price: $350 USD  Special Holiday Price $300 USD

 

We English Special Edition Box Set

Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire

SPOTLIGHT Simon Roberts

 Blackpool South, from Pierdom series. ©2011 Simon Roberts

We are pleased to announce the release of a new series of photographs, Pierdom, by Simon Roberts. This new series of photographs follows Roberts' acclaimed We English series, that was concerned with the culture of leisure in contemporary English society.

 Eastbourne, from Pierdom series. ©2011 Simon Roberts

With Pierdom, Roberts turns his camera to a specific architectural remnant that bears witness to leisure of the past—not just in England, but around Britain. Mostly built in the 19th Century 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.

Weston-Super-Mare Grand, from Pierdom series. ©2011 Simon Roberts

The portfolio of 15 photographs will be available to view in the next week and will be uploaded to the gallery website and promoted widely at that time. The quality of the work is outstanding and, based on the strong sales of Roberts' photographs from the We English and Motherland series, we recommend an early purchase.

For a preview of the photographs, please contact the gallery directly.

The Pierdom photographs are available in the following editions:

48" x 60", Edition of 4 + 1 AP
20" x 24", Edition of 7 + 2 AP's
11" x 14" Box Set of 15 Prints, Edition of 9 + 2 AP's

The photographs are C-Types, (Fuji Crystal Archive).
Prices increase as the editions sell.