Photo London Moves to Olympia, Debuts Steven Meisel Exhibition

Photo London, the leading photography fair in the capital, is shifting from Somerset House to the newly renovated Olympia for its 11th edition, scheduled for May 14-17. This marks the first occasion the fair will be held beneath Olympia's Victorian barrel-vaulted ceiling, which previously hosted the Photo Fair in 1957. Following a five-year redevelopment by Heatherwick Studio, Photo London becomes the inaugural artistic tenant. Director Sophie Parker emphasizes that the new location fosters a unified experience, likening the National Hall's ceiling to that of Paris's Grand Palais. The event will showcase a rare public exhibition by Steven Meisel, the 2026 Master of Photography award recipient, alongside over 100 galleries, including newcomers Galerie Julian Sander (Cologne) and Miyako Yoshinaga (New York). Notable exhibits include Edward Burtynsky's images of Western Australia at Flowers Gallery, Hélène Binet's architectural photography at Large Glass, and Vivek Vadoliya's exploration of British-Gujarati identity at 10 14 Gallery. Additionally, an art film screening room will debut, featuring 10 unrepresented artists. Parker highlights that the 2026 Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report indicates increasing transaction numbers but declining values, which she believes is beneficial for emerging collectors. The Young Collectors Circle program aims to simplify the art market for newcomers.