Photographers of the 1970’s
In this era of fashion and freedom, photography was arguably at its peak. This pre-digital world saw areas of London full of photographic studios, darkrooms and film processing labs. These exciting hubs of creativity enabled photographers to push boundaries and iconic designers such as Mary Quant to lead the fashion movement in this cosmopolitan city.
Fen Ditton Gallery is delighted to present this collection of images from photographers who lived and worked in London during the 1970s in the fields of fashion, photography and photojournalism: Tony Boase (1943 - 2002), Setsuo Kato MBE (b.1941) and James Wedge (b. 1939). A further virtual exhibition will be launched next week with the works of Graham Murrell, head of photography at Central St Martin’s in the 1970s. The Festival of Photography was originally due to take place at Fen Ditton Gallery in April 2020, but due to Covid-19 has been postponed until September. We hope you enjoy this virtual opportunity to view the exhibition. All the images are available for purchase by contacting the gallery. Print prices range from £280 - £750.
Tony Boase
Fashion photographer turned wood turner, Tony Boase, began his photographic career in London in 1965 and went on to spend 35 years in the industry.
Boase worked with a number of top fashion designers, including Mary Quant. Gallery owner, Lotte has worked closely with the widow of Tony Boase, Jacky Boase, to bring to life this exclusive collection of Tony’s photographs, exploring the extensive catalogue of negatives from his 35-year photography career and carefully selecting this exhibition of images we present to you today. All photographs are hand-printed by Lotte in her Cambridge darkroom.
James Wedge
James Wedge was born in 1939 into a working-class London family. After serving in the British Navy, Wedge studied at Royal College of Art, specialising in millinery and went on to open two boutique clothing shops on the King’s Road, Chelsea.
By 1970, Wedge had moved into photography. He was friendly with David Bailey and Terence Donovan, and was persuaded by Donovan's lifestyle – driving a Rolls Royce, with a model on his arm – to switch his career path.
Wedge spent the next thirty years as a photographer becoming highly regarded in this media, producing many iconic images which are still recognisable today, including the Biba Nude. His work has been published in books and magazines and exhibited at galleries in Europe and America.
Setsuo Kato
Setsuo Kato was born in Tokyo in 1941. After studying journalism at the Waseda University, Kato worked at Keystone Press as a news photographer, before moving to London in 1970.
Since then, Kato has worked as a photo-journalist in Japanese media, covering news, tops and features in Britain and Europe, capturing such events as the wedding of Charles and Diana, the Japanese Emperor’s visit to the UK, as well as photographing leading figures in politics and the arts, including Bernard Leach and Margaret Thatcher, amongst others.
Kato’s photographs offer a unique Eastern perspective of London at a time of great change and freedom for the British people.
In 2019, Kato was awarded an MBE for his contribution to UK-Japan relations and mutual understanding through his photo-journalism. This is the first time Kato’s photographs have been shown in the UK. Kato is the husband of ceramicist Jill Fanshawe Kato, who is a regular exhibitor at the gallery.
For print enquiries, please contact info@fendittongallery.com.