ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Gian Butturini's contested photography on view in Milan

exhibition · 2026-04-27

The exhibition 'Londra 1969 ‒ Derry 1972' at STILL Fotografia in Milan presents Gian Butturini's work, including his controversial book 'London by Gian Butturini' (1969), which was withdrawn in 2017 after accusations of racism. The show also features images from 'Dall’Irlanda dopo Londonderry' (1972), documenting the Bloody Sunday massacre, whose 50th anniversary falls this year. Butturini's lens captures London's marginalized—homeless, drug addicts—contrasting with the Swinging London myth. The exhibition closes with collages reworking comic heroes like Nembo Kid and Batman into counter-information icons.

Key facts

  • Exhibition at STILL Fotografia, Milan
  • Title: Londra 1969 ‒ Derry 1972
  • Features London by Gian Butturini (1969) and Dall’Irlanda dopo Londonderry (1972)
  • London book was withdrawn in 2017 after racism accusations
  • Accusations stemmed from juxtaposition of a Black woman selling metro tickets and a gorilla image
  • 2022 marks 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday
  • Butturini photographed homeless, drug addicts, and marginalized people in London
  • Exhibition includes collages with Nembo Kid and Batman as counter-information heroes

Entities

Artists

  • Gian Butturini

Institutions

  • STILL Fotografia
  • Damiani

Locations

  • Milan
  • Italy
  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Derry
  • Northern Ireland

Sources