Darkroom Dispatch: October Edition

Written By Melissa Magnuson

Welcome to October’s Darkroom Dispatch! In this monthly update, we’ll be sharing exciting news, client highlights, exhibitions, and more from our vibrant SW Darkroom community.

 

Melissa Joins the Board of Trustees at RPS

We’re proud to announce that Melissa Magnuson, our founder and director, has joined the Royal Photographic Society’s Board of Trustees as of September 2024. Established in 1853, the RPS promotes photography as an art, science, and expressive medium. Melissa will serve a three-year term, contributing her experience and vision to support RPS's goals in education, exhibitions, and other key programs.

 

Our New Colour Printing Machine is Live!

We're thrilled to announce that our brand-new RA4 colour printing machine is up and running! This new machine delivers faster turnaround times and higher-quality prints. Whether you're working on large projects or individual prints, this addition to SW Darkroom will elevate your work.

Elliott at work

Ready to book your next colour printing session? Click here!

 

Client Spotlight: Olga Grotova

Large-Scale Photograms

Check out Olga’s Instagram video showcasing her work and artistic process.

Olga frequently uses our space to create stunning large-scale photograms, and in this video, you can see the amazing results of her creative efforts.

We’re always thrilled to witness the incredible work our talented clients produce here!

 

Photography Exhibitions in London

We’ve curated a list of must-see photography exhibitions happening this month in London.

First, a special shout-out to Zhou Ning, our darkroom technician, who is showcasing her work at the CRUD exhibition in Peckham. All of the work was printed here at SW Darkroom!


Exhibition dates:

  • PV: 17th October, 6-9 pm

  • Open: 18th–20th October, 12-6 pm

  • Location: Safehouse 1, 139 Copeland Road, Peckham, SE15 3SN.

Photography Exhibitions Opening in October 2024:

  • I AM BECAUSE YOU KNOW ME: A Love Letter to Womanhood
    Featuring: Nadia Magda Abatorab-Manikowska – Dates: 5 October – 17 November

    • Location: Phoenix Art Space, 10-14 Waterloo Place, Brighton, BN2 9NB

    • Description: This exhibition, inspired by Gertrude Stein's famous quote, explores identity’s fluid nature and how it is shaped by love and recognition.

  • Letizia Battaglia: Life, Love, and Death in Sicily – Dates: 9 October – 23 February

    • Location: The Photographers' Gallery

    • Description: A major UK exhibition of Letizia Battaglia, an Italian photographer known for her raw documentation of the Sicilian Mafia.

  • Deborah Turbeville: Photocollage – Dates: 9 October – 23 February

    • Location: The Photographers' Gallery

    • Description: A UK solo exhibition for the American fashion photographer known for her distinctive photocollage works and female gaze.

  • Haegue Yang: Leap Year – Dates: 9 October – 5 January

    • Location: Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre

    • Description: A blend of sculpture, video, and sound that challenges cultural boundaries and explores modernism.

  • Rayvenn D’Clark – Dates: 10 October – Dates TBC

    • Location: TM Gallery

    • Description: Rayvenn D’Clark is known for merging live casting and 3D printing, transforming traditional portraiture into hyperrealistic sculptures.

Current Photography Exhibitions:

  • Malik Roberts: The Double Up – Until: 25 October

    • Location: D’Stassi Art, Hoxton

    • Description: A mixed-media exploration of identity and culture through photography.

  • Lewis Hammond: Glass House – Until: 20 December

    • Location: The Perimeter

    • Description: Surreal imagery by one of the UK’s rising young artists, incorporating photographic elements.

  • Reimagined Landscapes – Until: 10 November

    • Location: Print Sales Gallery, The Photographers' Gallery

    • Description: Exploring cultural identity and displacement through surreal landscapes.

  • Siân Davey: The Garden – Until: 29 November

    • Location: Soho Photography Quarter

    • Description: British photographer Siân Davey captures the transformation of an abandoned garden in this poetic documentation of biodiversity and community.

  • Zanele Muholi – Until: 26 January 2025

    • Location: Tate Modern, Bankside

    • Description: A major retrospective showcasing the striking portraits and self-portraits by South African visual activist Zanele Muholi.

  • Fragile Beauty: Elton John’s Collection – Until: 5 January 2025

    • Location: Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington

    • Description: A selection of photographs from Elton John’s collection, featuring iconic works by celebrated photographers.

Have an exhibition you’d like to promote? Email us at info@swdarkroom.com, and we’ll share it in our blog and newsletter!

 

Photography Contests and Awards Closing Soon

Looking to showcase your work or win some prizes? Here are some upcoming photography contests and awards with deadlines fast approaching:

We’re excited to continue this journey with our Darkroom Dispatch, bringing you the latest updates, insights, and opportunities from SW Darkroom. 

Stay tuned for next month’s dispatch, and feel free to reach out if you have any news, events, or exhibitions you’d like to share with us!

Happy shooting,
The SW Darkroom Team

Melissa Magnuson
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