This exhibition reflects the achievements of Keith Arnatt’s work from 1973 to his most recent practice. Based in Tintern, South Wales, Arnatt’s early works, such as The Visitors (1974-76) or Walking the Dog (1976-79), explore local subjects with signature wit, influencing contemporary art practice whilst defying tradition.

In the 1980s / 90s, he began to photograph mundane everyday objects which he viewed increasingly as sculptural forms, as in Canned Sunsets (1990-91) where we are asked to reconsider discarded rubbish. Notes from Jo (1991-94), marks a poignant shift from public to private, recording messages from his wife, while more recent works include Cats and Dogs (1996-2000), random photographs of the artist’s pets, and I Wonder if Cows Wonder (2002), taken post the foot and mouth outbreak.

This exhibition includes many of Arnatt’s important series of works covering the varied subjects taken from everyday life which inspired him. Through his work he challenges tradition and our perceptions of life and art with an underlying warmth and humour.

Exhibition organised by The Photographers’ Gallery, London and curated by photographer David Hurn, supported by the Henry Moore Foundation and Arts Council England.

Friday 15 February, 1pm
Clare Grafik, Curator, The Photographers’ Gallery, London, will give an illustrated talk discussing Keith Arnatt’s show in the context of his earlier work and will show images of his conceptual pieces.

Friday 29 February, 1pm
Ian Walker is Reader in the History of Photography at the University of Wales, Newport. From the mid-l970s on, all Keith Arnatt’s work was made in a very small geographical area around his home in the WyeValley.

This talk, Tintern and Beyond, will discuss how his work brought together an intense interest in that specific locale and the wider concerns of contemporary.