‘Travels with Michael Palin’ (3 December - 25 January 2013) is a new, free exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) from December 2012. Providing an intimate look at the work of Basil Pao, who has expertly captured thousands of still photographs of Michael’s travels around the globe, the exhibition reflects the global diversity and range of people and places encountered by Michael Palin on his travels. Dr Rita Gardner, Society Director, said: “We are delighted that Basil has chosen to exhibit his work at the Society - not only is this a very fitting way to celebrate Michael’s contribution to the Society as President over the past three years, but also a natural fit with our own rich photographic collections which span the history of travel and exploration since the invention of photography.”

RGS Press Release

Travels with Michael Palin - celebrating 25 years of Basil Pao’s stunning travel photography

Stunning images capturing the finest moments of reflection, drama and colour from Michael Palin’s eight acclaimed BBC series go on show at a new free exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) from December 2012.

‘Travels with Michael Palin’ (3 December - 25 January 2013) provides an intimate look at the work of Basil Pao, whose photographs have documented the work of one of the UK’s best-loved broadcasters and writers for nearly 25 years, marking the end of Michael’s three-year tenure as the Society’s President earlier this year.

Basil, unseen behind the lens, has expertly captured thousands of still photographs of Michael’s travels around the globe, over the Poles and across the Himalayas, since first working with him in 1988.

Commenting on Basil’s influence, Michael says: “Basil is one of the finest still photographer’s in the business and has become indispensable on my journeys. He loves good food and drink, takes lots of amazing photographs, and wears a straw hat everywhere ensuring that I never lose sight of the film crew.”

The choice of pictures has been curated by Basil to reflect the global diversity and range of people and places encountered by Michael Palin on his travels. From stunning images taken during the current series ‘Brazil’ - including Michael and crew on the Rio Negro at sunset in the Pantanal - to evocative and haunting photographs from earlier classic journeys including ‘The Cemetery’, a graveyard for cars on the road to Tamanrasset in Algeria, where thousands of dreams of driving across the Sahara have met their end.

Dr Rita Gardner, Society Director, said: “We are delighted that Basil has chosen to exhibit his work at the Society - not only is this a very fitting way to celebrate Michael’s contribution to the Society as President over the past three years, but also a natural fit with our own rich photographic collections which span the history of travel and exploration since the invention of photography.”

Entry to the exhibition is free. It will run from 10am - 5pm, Monday 3 December - Friday 25 January 2013 (including weekends), but excluding the period when the Society is closed for the Christmas and New Year holidays from Friday, 21 December - Tuesday, 1 January 2013 (inclusive).

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