The raucous, debauched glamour of the wild 1920s is best epitomised for me by the surrealism & dadaist art movements that flourished during this era; unprecedented, unpredictable and absurd, much like the flapper fashions and lifestyles. One of the most well-known dadaist artists of the vintage era was the enigmatic, fascinating character; Man Ray.
I have always been a huge fan so I was delighted to discover that the National Portrait Gallery is showing an exhibition of Man Ray’s work. He was best known for his surrealist art, but this exhibit displays his lesser known ventures into portraiture.
I loved this exhibit because Man Ray photographed the wonderful characters who socialised within his fashionable circle between the 1910s and sixties, creating a very personal feel as you look through intimate portraits of the fabulous lovers and intriguing celebrities such as Pablo Picasso,Barbette and Helen Tamiris, with exciting, experimental photographic techniques.
My personal favourite pictures were Le Violon d’Ingres; a stunning image of his muse, KiKi de Montparnasse, the dozens of portraits of his great love; Lee Miller in which the world of photography was introduced to Miller & Man Ray’s revolutionary technique of solarisation. I was also excited to see a portrait of twenties jazz composer Henry Crowder, pictured with the instantly recognisable, African bangle-clad arms of his iconic lover (and my favourite celebrity of the twentieth century); Nancy Cunard.
This is a wonderful exhibit, that captures the avant-garde zeitgeist of the early twentieth century, and the amazing world of Man Ray. It is on at the National Portrait Gallery until the 27th of May, and I would suggest it to anyone looking for a unique, enlightening day out in London. Find out more here.
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