Culture vultures of the capital city, gather around. A brand new photography exhibition recently arrived at the V&A, and it’s bloomin’ brilliant.
Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection features over 300 rare prints, many of which are on display for the very first time. The exhibition marks 30 years of collecting for John and Furnish, and features work from 140 era-defining photographers.
Inside the exhibition
Set across eight sections, the collection delves into various themes such as fashion, reportage, celebrity, the male body, and American photography. The exhibition spans from the 1950s to the present day and features pivotal historical moments. Images from the Civil Rights movement in the sixties, AIDS activism in the eighties, and the events of 9/11 are all on display.
Standout pieces include a trio of images of Marilyn Monroe, taken by Richard Avedon, Eve Arnold and Bert Stern and a monumental installation of 149 prints from Nan Goldin’s Thanksgiving series. Images of The Beatles, Elizabeth Taylor and Aretha Franklin are also on show.
The exhibition makes up an unrivalled selection of work, uniting some of the world’s greatest photographers to tell the ‘personal and universal story of modern and contemporary photography’.
Sir Elton John and David Furnish said: “Since we first loaned a selection of Horst photographs to the V&A in 2014, our relationship with the museum has grown significantly.
“Fragile Beauty takes our collaboration to really exciting new heights, showcasing some of the most beloved photographers and iconic images from within our collection.”
Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection is showing at the V&A South Kensington from May 18, 2024 – January 5, 2025. Find out more and book your tickets here.