They say: ‘The Photographers’ Gallery will unveil its new home for international and British photography in the heart of London’s Soho on Saturday 19 May 2012. The Gallery’s opening will mark the conclusion of its ambitious £8.9 million capital campaign, which has been generously supported by Arts Council England’s Lottery Fund alongside a range of Trusts, Foundations, corporates and individuals.’ View photos of the new building here.
The renowned Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky and New Delhi based Raqs Media Collective will launch the 2012 exhibition programme on Saturday 19 May 2012.
The Photographers’ Gallery opened in 1971 in Great Newport Street, London, as the UK’s first independent gallery devoted to photography. It was the first public gallery in the country to exhibit many key names in international photography, including Juergen Teller (fashion), Robert Capa (photojournalism), Sebastião Salgado (documentary) and Andreas Gursky (contemporary art). The Gallery has also been instrumental in establishing contemporary British photographers including Martin Parr and Corinne Day. In 2009 the Gallery moved to 16 – 18 Ramillies Street, the first stage in its plan to create a 21st century home for photography. Construction work began on this site in Autumn 2010 and is now approaching its final stages. The success of The Photographers’ Gallery over the past four decades has helped to establish photography as a recognised art form, introducing generations of visitors to important names in photography and championing photography’s place at the heart of visual culture. The Gallery’s Chair of the Board of Trustees is Brian Pomeroy, CBE.