Tom Hunter reflects on 25 years of Life and Death in Hackney and announces new exhibitions
Tom Hunter, a British photographer, reflects on his career and the 25th anniversary of his series Life and Death in Hackney (1999-2001). Renowned for his staged photography influenced by classical art, Hunter captures the evolution of Hackney, London, from its post-industrial roots to gentrification. This series reimagines pieces such as Millais's Ophelia, revealing the beauty found in urban decay and the lives of squatters. Collaborating with friends and locals, Hunter's works have been showcased worldwide, including at the National Gallery in London and in Washington. Presently, he has curated Hackney at Home at Hackney Museum, running until 15 June 2024, with future exhibitions like Namedropper at MONA, Tasmania, starting 15 June 2024, and Dalkeith Photo 2024 from 8 September to 6 October 2024.
Key facts
- Tom Hunter is a British photographer known for staged images inspired by classical paintings.
- His series Life and Death in Hackney (1999-2001) reinterprets Pre-Raphaelite works to document Hackney's squatter communities.
- Hunter has lived in Hackney since the 1970s and witnessed its transformation from abandoned spaces to gentrification.
- He collaborates fully with his subjects, ensuring their consent and involvement in the creative process.
- Hunter's work has been exhibited at the National Gallery London, National Gallery Washington, V&A, and galleries across Europe.
- He curated Hackney at Home, A Community Photography 1970-Today at Hackney Museum until 15 June 2024.
- Upcoming exhibitions include Namedropper at MONA, Tasmania from 15 June 2024, and Dalkeith Photo 2024 in Scotland from 8 September to 6 October 2024.
- Hunter is represented by Purdy Hicks Gallery, London and Marine Contemporary, Los Angeles.
Entities
Artists
- Tom Hunter
- Nan Goldin
- Sally Mann
- John Everett Millais
- Dennis Morris
- Colin O'Brien
- Rachel Whiteread
- Sarah Ainsley
- Syd Sheldon
- Bob Marley
- Bertolt Brecht
- Anna Müller
Institutions
- Purdy Hicks Gallery
- Marine Contemporary
- National Gallery
- National Gallery Washington
- V&A
- National Galleries of Sweden
- National Galleries of Poland
- National Galleries of Norway
- National Galleries of Finland
- National Galleries of Spain
- Hackney Museum
- Museum of Old and New Art
- MONA
- The Grey Gallery
- Critical Waste
- Hackney Flashers
- Aesthetica Magazine
Locations
- Hackney
- London
- United Kingdom
- Los Angeles
- USA
- Washington
- Sweden
- Poland
- Norway
- Finland
- Spain
- Tasmania
- Australia
- Dalkeith
- Scotland
- Glastonbury
- Europe
- River Lea