Victoria and Albert Museum to Showcase Sir Elton John and David Furnish's Private Photography Collection

Get ready for an amazing photography exhibition at the famous Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)! This isn't just any exhibition; it's showcasing hundreds of incredible photographs from the private collection of none other than music legend Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish. The exhibition is called "Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection."

Imagine walking through a gallery filled with beautiful unique photos that tell different stories. Each photograph is a piece of art carefully chosen by Sir Elton John and David Furnish. This exhibition is a rare chance to see what catches the eye of these two art lovers. It's like stepping into a world of visual stories each photo capturing a moment in time or an artist's vision.

"Fragile Beauty" is set to be a real treat for anyone who loves photography or is curious about the artistic tastes of Sir Elton John and David Furnish. It's a chance to see a diverse range of artistic works all in one place and to be inspired by the beauty captured in each image.

A Glimpse into the Private Collection

Sir Elton John and David Furnish are doing something cool – they're sharing their collection of modern and contemporary prints with everyone! Imagine getting to see over 300 prints from more than 140 photographers. What's even more exciting is that many of these stunning photographs will be shown to the public for the very first time. This exhibition isn't just about looking at pretty pictures; it's like a time machine that takes you on a journey from the 1950s to today. You'll get to see how photography has changed and evolved over the years. It's a rare chance to peek into the world of photography through the eyes of two people who love and appreciate this art form. 

Celebrating Beloved Photographers and Iconic Images

The collaboration between Sir Elton John David Furnish and the V&A museum has resulted in an extraordinary selection of photographs. Artists of great renown such as Robert Mapplethorpe Cindy Sherman William Eggleston Diane Arbus and Sally Mann are among those whose work will be showcased. Additionally the collection features captivating images from Zanele Muholi Ai Weiwei and Carrie Mae Weems further enriching the exhibition's diversity.

A Multifaceted Collection

The photography collection curated by Sir Elton John and David Furnish presents a wide array of subject matters. Alongside fashion images visitors will encounter powerful news events captured through the lens. Iconic portraits of Marilyn Monroe Miles Davis and Chet Baker will grace the exhibition alongside impactful photojournalism that documents important historical moments such as the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s AIDS activism in the 1980s and the tragedy of September 11 2001.

Collecting Memories and Art

Did you know that the famous musician Sir Elton John has a huge passion for photography? His love for this art form started in 1991 right after he decided to live a sober life. What began as a personal hobby turned into something much bigger. Now he has a collection of over 7000 fine art photographs!

This collection is one of the biggest of its kind in the whole world. It's not just a bunch of pictures; it's a symbol of how much Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish appreciate and love photography. Each photo in their collection is special and shows their deep interest in this art form.

It's amazing to think about how a personal interest can grow into something so big and important. Sir Elton John's collection is a great example of how following your passion can lead to incredible things. It's a reminder that when you love something like photography it can become a big part of your life and even impact others.

A Tale of Generosity and Collaboration

Sir Elton John and David Furnish aren't new to sharing their amazing photography collection with the world. Back in 2014 they loaned some cool photographs by the famous fashion photographer Horst P. Horst to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A). But that's not all. In 2019 they did something even more generous. They made a big donation to the museum and because of that a part of the museum's photography center was renamed the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Gallery.

Their kindness and love for photography don't just add beautiful art to the museum. They also help more people understand and appreciate photography as a form of art. It's like they're opening doors for others to see the world through the lens of different photographers. Their efforts show how much they care about art and how they want to share it with everyone. 

Building on Past Success

The upcoming "Fragile Beauty" exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum is following in the footsteps of another successful show. Back in 2016 there was an exhibition at Tate Modern called "The Radical Eye: Modernist Photography from the Sir Elton John Collection." This earlier exhibition was a big hit. It displayed a selection of photographs from Sir Elton John and David Furnish's incredible collection.

People loved "The Radical Eye." It got a lot of praise and attention because it showed some truly amazing works of modernist photography. It's like they opened a treasure chest of stunning photographs for everyone to see. The success of that exhibition shows just how special and admired their collection is. Now with "Fragile Beauty" they're ready to wow audiences again with more beautiful and captivating photographs. 



Event Details

Get ready for an amazing exhibition called "Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection." It's going to be at The Sainsbury Gallery which is part of the V&A South Kensington. The big day to start this exciting event is May 18 2024 and it will keep going until January 5 2025. So there's plenty of time to plan a visit!

This exhibition is going to be something special. Imagine walking through a gallery filled with incredible photographs each one telling its own story. These aren't just any photos; they're part of the collection of Sir Elton John and David Furnish which means they're really special and important.

Marking your calendar for this event is a great idea. Whether you love photography are a fan of Sir Elton John or just enjoy seeing beautiful art this exhibition is sure to be enchanting. It's a chance to see some extraordinary art and understand its cultural significance.

By extending the invitation to explore their private collection Sir Elton John and David Furnish along with the Victoria and Albert Museum are providing a unique opportunity for audiences to journey through the vibrant world of photography and witness the power and beauty of the art form. Don't miss your chance to immerse yourself in the "Fragile Beauty" that awaits at the V&A.