William Eggleston Reflects on Photography and His London Exhibition

The David Zwirner gallery in London is currently showcasing the work of William Eggleston, an 80-year-old photographer from Tennessee and Mississippi, until 1 June 2019. This exhibition focuses on his creations from the 1970s and coincides with an interview in which he elaborates on his artistic beliefs. Eggleston gained recognition in 1976 through an exhibition curated by John Szarkowski at the Museum of Modern Art, despite facing criticism from Hilton Kramer. Growing up on a cotton plantation and without formal training, he advocates for 'photographing democratically' while rejecting the 'snapshot aesthetic.' His vibrant color photographs of the American South have greatly impacted contemporary artists. He also differentiates between temporary gallery displays and permanent photobooks, stressing the importance of compositional study. Although he released an album in 2017, he does not favor merging text with images.