Recollections by Philip Jones Griffiths
Photographs by Philip Jones Griffiths will be on display in Recollections at the National Conservation Centre in Liverpool. The first display of his work since Griffiths died in March this year, the exhibition will feature around 60 images of Britain in the 1950s and 60s. Recollections by Philip Jones Griffiths runs from from 17 October 2008 to 15 March 2009.
National Conservation Centre Press Release
Philip Jones Griffiths photography exhibition
17 October - 15 March 2009
National Conservation Centre
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Evocative images by celebrated photographer Philip Jones Griffiths will be on display in Recollections at the National Conservation Centre from 17 October 2008 to 15 March 2009.
The first display of his work since Griffiths died in March this year, the exhibition will feature around 60 images of Britain in the 1950s and 60s.
One of the greatest photographers of the twentieth century, Griffiths’ depiction of the Vietnam War redefined photojournalism and provided a window on the actions of America. Recollections will showcase lesser known but equally engaging images of Britain, and in particular Liverpool, at a time of social and political change.
Born in Rhuddlan, Wales, Griffiths took photographs of local weddings and day-trippers whilst still at school, creatively influenced by Liverpool artist and friend Adrian Henri who was evacuated to nearby Rhyl.
Speaking earlier this year Griffiths remembered fondly his time spent in Liverpool: ‘In my youth Liverpool was the unofficial capital of North Wales. It was where I went to expand my horizons, experience the world outside my village. It provided a mix of enlightenment and education and an early experience of multiculturalism. The bustling seaport city became my favourite!’
Highlights of Recollections include:
• Evocative images of 1950s Liverpool street scenes.
• Striking photographs of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
• An insight into the 1950s and 60s cultural scene including revealing shots of the Beatles, Adrian Henri, Lawrence Olivier and Norman Wisdom.
• Captivating images of London life, from Buckingham Palace to Battersea Park, Piccadilly Circus to Pentonville prison.
• Fascinating portraits of protests and political figures such as Tony Benn and Harold MacMillan.
• Slideshow of Griffiths most important pictures from Vietnam.
Biography
Born in 1936 in Rhuddlan, Wales, Philip Jones Griffiths studied pharmacy in Liverpool and worked in London while photographing part-time for the Manchester Guardian.
In 1961 he became a full-time freelancer for the London-based Observer. He covered the Algerian War in 1962, then moved to Central Africa. From there he moved to Asia, photographing in Vietnam from 1966 to 1971.
His book on the war, Vietnam Inc., crystallized public opinion and gave form to Western misgivings about American involvement in Vietnam.
An associate member of Magnum since 1966, Griffiths became a member in 1971. In 1973 he covered the Yom Kippur War and then worked in Cambodia between 1973 and 1975. In 1977 he covered Asia from his base in Thailand.
In 1980 Griffiths moved to New York to assume the presidency of Magnum, a post he held for a record five years. His continued revisiting of Vietnam, examining the legacy of the war, lead to his two further books Agent Orange and Vietnam at Peace
Publications
2008 Recollections, Trolley, UK
2005 Vietnam at Peace, Trolley, UK
2003 Agent Orange-Collateral Damage in Vietnam, Trolley, UK
1996 Dark Odyssey, Aperture, USA
1992 Philip Jones Griffiths: una vision retrospectiva (1952-1988), Consorcio para la Organizacion de Madrid Capital Europea de la Cultura, Spain
1979 Bangkok, Amsterdam Time-Life, the Netherlands
1971/01 Vietnam Inc., Collier, USA; Phaidon, UK
National Conservation Centre, Whitechapel, Liverpool Admission FREE
Open10am-5pm every day Information 0151 478 4999
Website www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Image Copyright Philip Jones Griffiths/Magnum Photos.
Courtesy of the Philip Jones Griffiths Foundation
Loading comments…