Flashback: A new commission by artist Tom Hunter

13 May 2009 – 23 May 2010

A new commission by artist Tom Hunter will be unveiled at Museum of London on 13 May 2009. The series of unique portraits are in celebration of the spectacular new Galleries of Modern London, launching on 28 May 2010.

Taking some of the people involved with the new galleries, Hunter created stage sets using objects from the Museum’s collection. Like a time lord travelling from one period to the next, Hunter has stolen moments from several eras juxtaposing modern London icons like the Vespa scooter with a Museum designer dressed in a 1770s ‘panier’ dress. The beautifully staged portraits are rich with colour yet intensely dark, reminiscent of the old masters style.

Artist Tom Hunter says, ‘In these portraits I wanted to convey the freedom to travel in time, as you would do when you walk through the Museum itself. But unlike the Museum, which sets out to make sense of history, I set out to confuse by creating surprising portraits that steal from different times and fashions’.

The Museum was the first to collect Tom Hunter’s work in 1995 when it acquired ‘The Ghetto’, an extraordinary recreation of squatted Hackney terraces, made while he was a student at London College of Printing. He then went on to win the prestigious John Kobal Photographic Portrait Award in 1998, after graduating from the RCA. Hunter is perhaps best known for his show ‘Living in Hell’ at The National Gallery in 2005. The collection of striking photographs derived from Classical paintings and newspaper headlines cemented his reputation as an international artist.

Professor Jack Lohman, Director of Museum of London says, ‘Having been the first to collect Tom’s work, we are thrilled to be commissioning these portraits. These are hugely exciting times for the Museum as we work to create a revitalised, world-class museum’.

The Galleries of Modern London will tell the story of the capital from 1666 to the present day, reflecting how the vibrant and unflagging energy of Londoners has shaped the modern city. The new galleries will convey a strong sense of London’s contemporary identity as a vibrant, dynamic and world city with diversity at its heart.

Flashback: A new commission by Tom Hunter opens 13 May 2009 runs until 23 May 2010, and is free.

 

Notes to Editors

1. For more information or images, please contact Stacey Witter on 020 7814 5511 or switter@museumoflondon.org.uk

2. Museum of London tells the lively story of London from prehistoric times to the present day. Find out what Romans ate for dinner, experience the Great Fire of London and find out when pointy shoes first became fashionable. Reconstructed interiors and street scenes are displayed alongside original artefacts found in the Museum's archaeological digs. Open daily 10am-6pm.

3. The Museum is currently redeveloping its lower galleries to retell the story of London and Londoners from 1666 to the present day. The £20 million project, the Museum’s most significant investment since opening in 1976, will transform the Museum with the Galleries of Modern London launching in spring 2010. Find out more about this project at www.museumoflondon.org.uk/modernlondon

4. Museum of London together with Museum of London Docklands and Museum of London Archaeology inspires a passion for London. Housed in a grade I listed Georgian warehouse at West India Quay, Museum of London Docklands explores London's long history as a port through stories of trade, migration and commerce. Museum of London Archaeology conducts excavations which continually remap our understanding of the city. Based in Hackney it provides independent professional advice and services to property sector and heritage clients and is the home of the Museum’s extensive archaeological archive, with finds from all over London.