On a “Fragile Beauty” exhibition at the V&A, London.
Elton John began collecting photography after leaving rehab in 1991. Over three decades, he and his husband David Furnish have curated a collection that is intensely personal yet universally compelling. The exhibition showcases 300 photographs divided into eight thematic sections, designed by the architecture and design studio EBBA. It is set to be the largest temporary photography exhibition in the V&A’s history.
The curators have put together sections covering fashion, celebrity, the male body, and American photography. They have selected from over 7,000ny being publicly displayed for the first time. Each section has its own space designed with different spatial concepts and color schemes that capture the essence of the theme. By offering glimpses into other galleries, they’ve highlighted thematic connections, preventing visitors from feeling overwhelmed by the visual overload, similar to endlessly scrolling through Instagram.
© Ryan McGinley Studios.
“Fragile Beauty” spans from the 1950s to today, featuring portraits of jazz legends like Miles Davis and Chet Baker, and icons like Marilyn Monroe. It also covers historic moments from the civil rights movement to AIDS activism. Renowned photographers such as Robert Mapplethorpe, Cindy Sherman, William Eggleston, Diane Arbus, Sally Mann, Ai Weiwei, and others contribute to this modern and contemporary photography narrative. Nan Goldin’s “Thanksgiving” series, a 149-image collection capturing intimate and emotional moments from 1973 to 1999, is shown in its entirety. Exhibited floor-to-ceiling inside a cubic structure, visitors are immersed in Goldin’s documentation of euphoria, sensuality, youth, and abuse.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
“Fragile Beauty” is an epic journey through the recent history of photography, celebrating Sir Elton John and David Furnish’s passion for the medium. “One year when I totaled what we had acquired, it averaged about 1.5 pieces a week,” says Newell Harbin, the Director of the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Photography Collection. With over 7,000 works, it is one of the largest private photography collections in the world.
Our Recommendations
Definitely worth seeing, even if you think you’re not familiar with or fond of photography. Many of the images are recognizable, even if you haven’t spent your life immersed in media. You’ll connect the pictures with their authors and vice versa, experiencing shock, wonder, outrage, admiration, and laughter. In short, you won’t remain indifferent.
Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection.
In partnership with Gucci.
The Sainsbury Gallery, V&A South Kensington
18 May 2024 – 5 January 2025
The Sainsbury Gallery, V&A South Kensington
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Simply Fragile, 2022
© Tyler Mitchell
Sir Paul McCartney.
© Dave Benett for Victoria & Albert Museum
Bonus Track
Check out Sir Elton John and David Furnish discussing their collection for the V&A Museum on YouTube.
