Reception for the artist 13 December 6-8pm

Faggionato Fine Arts is pleased to announce their forthcoming exhibition of sixteen new photographs by David Bailey. Thirty years ago Bailey decided he wanted to do something un-cast, un-posed and organic. Finally realised over the last three years, Bailey’s Democracy represents the culmination of this vision. Studio visitors were asked if they would agree to be photographed naked. Abandoning issues of framing, composition, backdrop and lighting, each volunteer (mostly strangers and non-celebrities) was treated in exactly the same way. No digital manipulation was applied. This is what Bailey calls his “imposed democracy’. These are naked people – old, young, model perfect, ordinary looking. Naked not nude as Bailey is keen to emphasise. Nude photography is all about the photographer and what he brings to the shot – lighting, prejudices and aesthetics. In contrast naked photography is only about the subject. These are undirected, un-cast images where the sitters chose their own pose. David Bailey was born in London in 1938 and has been at the top of his profession for over forty years. Solo exhibitions include: Birth of the Cool 1957-1969 & Contemporary Work, Barbican Art Gallery, London, 1999; Photogalerie, Berlin, 1997; The ICA, London, 1985; International Center of Photography, New York, 1984; Victoria & Albert Museum London, 1983 and the National Portrait Gallery, London, 1971. He has also produced numerous publications, from Box of Pinups (1964) to Archive Two – Locations (2003). Bailey’s Democracy, published by Thames and Hudson, will be available from mid November 2005. Please click on PDF link below for printable version