David Bailey - Stardust Exhibition

(Bailey, David, Photographs of [Left] Michael Caine, [Right] Kate Moss)

David Bailey’s Stardust exhibition is not one to miss, showcased is over 250 pieces ranging from his classic 60’s pin ups to a beautiful collection from the likes of Sudan and Naga Hills. The exhibit takes over almost the entirety of the ground floor, displaying photographs in varying arrangements; from huge fully coloured images of Vivienne Westwood and Abbey Lee Kershaw for ID magazine to small intimate images of his wife, Catherine Bailey.

(Bailey, David Abbey Lee Kershaw for ID magazine)

The exhibition was curated thematically and not chronologically starting with the entrance which is dedicated to the Rolling Stones that Bailey first met when Mick Jagger was in a relationship with the sister of Jean Shrimpton. Bailey would go on tour with them and photograph them. As well as the selection of iconic images of Mick Jagger, Jean Shrimpton and Francis Bacon, there are images included from his trip to Africa. These images of those devastated by the famine in east Africa were taken in support of the Band Aid charity in 1985.

Bailey burst into photographic history with his ‘Box of Pin-Ups’ portraits in 1965. Complete with his signature style, they started a trend which has spanned his career – blank white, sharp lighting and no set dressing.  These photos are the epitome of pop culture and a motive behind a lifelong relationship with fashion and celebrity. Bailey has produced more than 350 covers for VOGUE but for this exhibition, he chose distinctive personalities – the subjects that were most exciting to capture. Bailey exposes the celebrity to the viewer, giving his famed subject nothing to hide behind, making each portrait achingly cool and painfully unique. All in all a truly amazing experience, there are photographs I have never seen before, and ones that are still not available to see on the internet, I felt it was an honour to have the opportunity to see these exclusive images.