This summer Tate Modern unveils a series of major new photography displays including a significant new body of work by Taryn Simon, iconic works by Diane Arbus and two important early works from Boris Mikhailov including Red 1968 – 1975, which were acquired with the support of the Art Fund.
The gallery will devote an entire level to new photography acquisitions, including recent work by Luc Delahaye, Mitch Epstein, Guy Tillim, Akram Zaatari and the two Art Funded works by Boris Mikhailov.
A series of works by Diane Arbus (1923–71) also opens. Arbus is acknowledged as one of the great figures of American photography who created remarkable images of contemporary life. Drawn from ARTIST ROOMS, the display includes over 30 works including a unique series of rarely shown vintage prints.
The Diane Arbus display will include Self-portrait pregnant NYC 1945, a unique, early photograph, on loan from a private collection, taken by Arbus when she was 23. Arbus’s husband was enlisted in the army at the time and she printed and sent this photograph, among others, to him while he was away serving in the Second World War. The display will also feature an important group of rarely-seen vintage prints, A Box of Ten Photographs, printed by Arbus as her definitive portfolio during her lifetime which includes important works such as Identical Twins, Roselle NJ 1967, A Young Man in Curlers at Home on West 20th Street NYC 1966 and The King and Queen of a Senior Citizens’ Dance NYC 1970. The display will also include the important series, Untitled 1970 -71.
Diane Arbus (1923–71) is acknowledged as one of the great figures of American photography who created remarkable images of contemporary life. Arbus pioneered the photographic approach that bridges the gap between documentary and fine art, exploring through her work the extraordinary variety that can be found in the lives, emotions and appearances of people. Her bold, direct style has been praised as a ‘celebration of things as they are’.
Image: Red by Boris Mikhailov
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