Last week my London Shoes received an invitation to ‘do lunch’ at the esteemed ‘Victoria & Albert-Museum’ (V&A) – an invite that also included a visit to a specific exhibition currently being shown there – and what an enjoyable day it was too.
The V&A Museum in Kensington is named after Queen Victoria & Prince Albert – and is London’s largest museum of arts and design, with almost 3 million objects on display.
The magnificent museum building was officially opened to the public in 1857. It covers some 12.5 acres – has 145 galleries inside that display artifacts, some dating as far back as 5,000 years.
Anyway – the lunch invite I mentioned, came from my old school mate and good friend ‘Mick Finch’ who is, and has been for some time, a ‘face’ in the UK, and the international world of ‘art’.
My old pencil squeezer mate Mick is currently Professor of Research at London’s prestigious Central St. Martins-University.
Mick holds membership to the V&A Museum – and it was his membership arrangement that enabled London Shoes to enjoy a spot of lunch in the Members Restaurant – and then visit what is, the institutions largest photography exhibition to date -the “Fragile Beauty-Exhibition”.
‘Fragile Beauty’ is an exhibition of 300 pieces from a collection of 7,000 photography works of art owned by Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish – that hang on walls of their various homes scattered across the world.
Sir Elton started collecting photographic art around 1990 – and today his collection is one of the biggest and best personal collections in the world.
The Fragile Beauty exhibition has been described by the art critics as:-….”an intensely private collection taken into the public realm with an abundance of ‘personal meaning’ still attached”.
So – following a tasty spot of lunch washed down with a few beers – me & Mick walked it off by conducting a leisurely amble through the excellent exhibition of photos.
The exhibits on display cover a range of themes/topics/events in social history throughout the past decades – and, as expected – there are also numerous ‘music’ related photos, of artists who have clearly influenced Sir Elton and his music, including the Beatles and legendary soul and blues music recording artists.
This exhibition of photos, touch upon many aspects of life – the good, the bad, the ugly, the happy and sad.
Apart from music related stuff, there are photos that capture social history and the mood of the world, particularly the US and UK during certain era’s.
On display are some powerful images that capture topics such as discrimination, diversity, the fight for civil rights and social comment – all quite emotive – and very ‘real’. There are also some humorous pictures, Miss Piggy from the Muppets, being just one such example – and Elton with fried egg specs being another.
I have to be honest – I’ve never really been a big fan of the V&A – its far too ‘busy’ with artifacts and exhibits for my personal liking – and to give it justice you really need to spend 2 days in there, to appreciate all the exhibits on display. However – I do enjoy exhibitions such as this Elton one – and although its quite pricey to get in (it didn’t cost me nothing, as my mate Mick & guest get free entry).
If you like photos with a story behind them and with a lot of historic and sociable vibe about them – then V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition of Sir Elton’s photo collection – is worth forking out a few quid to go and see.
A big thanks to my old mate Mick for a good day out – and I hope you enjoy the accompanying photos.
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See below the entire gallery of photos taken to accompany this blog article
An underground subway runs from South Kensington tube station – and leads you to each of the Museums on Exhibition Road
A view of the entrance to the V&A – from Exhibition Road
The ‘V&A’ Exhibition Road entrance
Me – outside the Exhibition Road entrance to the V&A Museum
Inside the grounds of the V&A Museum – under gloriously sunny London skies
The magnificent V&A Museum building was officially opened to the public in 1857.
The floor space of the V&A Museum covers some 12.5 acres
The V&A Museum is made up of 145 galleries
The V&A Museum has millions objects on display –
Some of the exhibits on display at the V&A Museum – date back as far as 5,000 years
Inside the magnificent V&A Museum
Inside the magnificent V&A Museum
The V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition comprises of 300 pieces from a collection of 7,000 photography works of art owned by Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish
Sir Elton started collecting photographic art around 1990 – and today his collection is one of the biggest and best personal collections in the world.
Inside the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
Understandably – amongst Sir Elton’s photographic collection, there are many that are music related……..inc The Beatles
A John Lennon photo on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
A Paul McCartney photo on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
A George Harrison photo on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
A Ringo Star photo on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
A 4 pairs of Beatles Boots image on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
Me – alongside Sir Elton John’s ‘Beatles’ collection of photos – at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
Just one of the varied range and themed images – on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition
An Elvis Presley photo – on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
There are quite a few ‘music’ related photos/images from Sir Elton John’s collection – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty Exhibition – this one is of a young Bob Dylan
A photo/images of the great ‘Joni Mitchell’ – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
There are a number of ‘Americana’ themed photo exhibits – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
Me – amongst the Sir Elton John & David Furnish photo collection – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
Inside the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
Sir Elton John’s ‘Miss Piggy’ photo on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition
Just one of the varied range and themed images – on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition
Inside the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
A photo of Martin Luther King – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
A now iconic image of activist Malcolm X – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
The now historic image of 2 USA athletes giving the ‘Black Power’ salute at the 1968 Olympics
Another powerful photo from Sir Elton John’s collection – the USA 1966 Kent University- shooting incident – part of the ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition on display at the V&A
Another iconic image from US history – JFK addressing a rally in the 1960’s
Me – amongst the Sir Elton John & David Furnish photo collection – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
Just one of the varied range and themed images – on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition
There are a number of ‘Americana’ themed photo exhibits – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
Another ‘Americana’ themed photo exhibit – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
Inside the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
There are quite a few ‘music’ related photos/images from Sir Elton John’s collection – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty Exhibition – this one is of the late great ‘Billie Holiday’
There are a number of ‘Americana’ themed photo exhibits – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
Another set of US social history themed images from the 1960’s – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
There are quite a few ‘music’ related photos/images from Sir Elton John’s collection – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty Exhibition – this one is of a young Aretha Franklin
Inside the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
Me – amongst the Sir Elton John & David Furnish photo collection – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
The now famous ‘ The 9/11 jumper’ photo – on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
A grouping of ‘crying’ themed images on display at the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
Just one of the varied range and themed images – on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition
A collection of Sir Elton’s music related b&w photos from the 1950’s & 1960’s – displayed at the ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition in the V&A Museum.
Elton John’s ‘Mae West’ image – on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition
A ‘crying’ photo of actor Daniel Craig – on display at the ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition – currently on at London’s ‘Victoria & Albert’ Museum
Me & my long time mate Mick – at the ‘Fragile Beauty’-Exhibition of Sir Elton John & David Furnish photo collections – at the V&A Museum
Just one of the varied range and themed images – on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition
Just one of the varied range and themed images – on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition
Just one of the varied range and themed images – on display at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition
Me – doing me own bit of photographic art – at the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
Me & Mick – aged about 16 -way back in 1973 – scarily, some 51 yrs ago now (2024)
Me & my old mate Mick – as we are today (2024) – at the ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition currently being held at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum.
Me -back at home with a bit of ‘merch’, a fridge magnet and book mark – from the V&A ‘Fragile Beauty’ Exhibition
Wow. What a fantastic opportunity to see some amazing photographs. Well jealous.
Must have been a lovely day out with your friend.
Terrific would love to see it.
Looks a really interesting exhibition Geoff. Love those classic Beatles portraits and Dylan and Hejira era Joni. In that 73 photo of you both, Mick looks like Steve Harley 😁
I’ve just read and have thoroughly enjoyed your latest Shoes blog – such interesting facts about the V&A itself, as well as the Elton John photo exhibition.
A nice read as usual Mr.Shoes. (I particularly like the then and now pic of you and your mate Mick, you are sitting there looking such a confident young man at 16)
Thank You such a fantastic variety of life’s pictures works seemed simpler then all the faces and what they have accomplished in the works of the arts 🎭 cheers 🇨🇦
What a treat Geoff, like my mum says ain’t what you know but who you know, great photos 👌
Great article Geoff, fascinating collection
You could’ve been the fifth Beatle Geoff😉
What a fascinating look at Elton John’s photographic collection! The blend of art and personal stories really highlights his unique perspective. I’m excited to check out the exhibition at the V&A! Thanks for sharing!