© David Bailey

Installation view, 2005


David Bailey
Bailey's Democracy


Faggionato Fine Arts is pleased to announce their forthcoming exhibition of sixteen new photographs by David Bailey.


Thirty years ago Bailey decided he wanted to do something un-cast, un-posed and organic. Finally realised over the last three years, "Bailey's Democracy" represents the culmination of this vision. Studio visitors were asked if they would agree to be photographed naked. Abandoning issues of framing, composition, backdrop and lighting, each volunteer (mostly strangers and non-celebrities) was treated in exactly the same way. No digital manipulation was applied. This is what Bailey calls his "imposed democracy".


These are naked people - old, young, model perfect, ordinary looking. Naked not nude as Bailey is keen to emphasise. Nude photography is all about the photographer and what he brings to the shot - lighting, prejudices and aesthetics. In contrast naked photography is only about the subject. These are undirected, un-cast images where the sitters chose their own pose.


David Bailey was born in London in 1938 and has been at the top of his profession for over forty years. Solo exhibitions include: "Birth of the Cool" 1957-1969 & "Contemporary Work", Barbican Art Gallery, London, 1999; Photogalerie, Berlin, 1997; The ICA, London, 1985; International Center of Photography, New York, 1984; Victoria & Albert Museum London, 1983 and the National Portrait Gallery, London, 1971. He has also produced numerous publications, from "Box of Pinups" (1964) to "Archive Two - Locations" (2003). "Bailey's Democracy", published by Thames and Hudson, will be available from mid November 2005.


Exhibition: 14 December 2005 - 27 January 2006
Gallery hours: Mon-Fri 10 - 5.30 pm


Faggionato Fine Arts
49 Albemarle St
GB-London W1S 3JR
Telephone + 44 20 74 09 79 79
Fax + 44 20 74 09 78 79
Email info@faggionato.com

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