Photomonth 2011 is nearly upon us. Spoonfed pick out the highlights from another jam-packed programme.
Founded in 2001, Photomonth seeks to showcase the diversity of contemporary photography in all its many forms and styles, with a particular emphasis on East London. Acting not only as a major boost for all galleries and photographers involved, Photomonth is also a wonderful collation of goings-on for anyone with even a passing interest in photography. With the 2011 edition featuring over 200 exhibitions and events across a whole host of different venues in East London and beyond, it can be pretty hard deciding what to see. So we've done it for you – we're nice like that.
Here then is our list of the best bits of Photomonth 2011:
30th September - 30th November
Phil Maxwell Retrospective @ Bishopsgate Institute
The centrepiece of Photomonth 2011 sees Phil Maxwell celebrates forty years in photography with a retrospective exhibition at the Bishopsgate Institute. From adolescence in Liverpool to adulthood in the East End, Maxwell has continually recorded life through the lens. With skill, subtlety and careful attention to local specificity, Maxwell's work explores class, politics and social change through the decades.
9th October, 6th November, 12th November
Photomonth Photowalks
Ever since Iain Sinclair popularised psychogeography for Guardian-reading Stokey mothers, the East End has been awash with a range of groups sticking it to the man by taking establishment-shattering Sunday afternoon potters. Ditching the politics, these walks feature both an expert on local history (Emily Jost or Rachel Kolsky) and a photographer (Heather McDonough) to help you view the city through newly opened eyes.
19th October
Instant Coffees Session @ Roof Unit
Conceived by curator Chris Littlewood and brilliant photographer Toby Smith, Roof Unit is kind of a photography collective situated in Bethnal Green. For Photomonth 2011 they're hosting a range of events, including an evening of discussion for photographers and enthusiasts alike. Examine various projects, share ideas and experiences and, above all, look at and talk about some fantastic photographic images.
24th November
Hackney Observed @ Hackney Museum
A special evening at Hackney Museum, Hackney Observed sees a selection of invited photographers showcasing images on a big screen and discussing their work. The evening features, among others, Photomonth patrons Jenny Matthews and Tom Hunter, who incidentally is one of London's most exciting and imaginative photographers. Rumour has it that the awesome Stephen Gill (another locally based Photomonth patron) will be making an appearance too.
Until 26th November
Mumbai – A Cricketing Temple @ Chaat Café
A part of eatyourartout – introduced for Photomonth 2010 to encourage enjoyment of food and art at the same time, Chaat Café on Redchurch Street is hosting a rather cool little photography exhibition. Alongside the delicious array of Bangladeshi street food is a series of images by Emma Levine [above] depicting aspiring cricketers on the streets of Mumbai. The way India have just fared against England some of these kids could be receiving a call-up sooner rather than later.
Online
Shit London
Photomonth is not just confined to East London, and it's not just confined to physical venues. There's various online exhibitions taking part in the festival, our favourite of which is Shit London – a collaboratively produced blog set up to document “urban decay at its finest”. Funny, grim and sporadically touching, this is a brilliant example of the power of photography.
Click here to see all London exhibitions.
Click here for things to do in London.
Return to Spoonfed's London Art homepage.
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