 |
| Copyright uitgeverij Kannibaal |
Belgian
Magnum photographer Harry Gruyaert(Antwerp, 1941)
has
been living in Paris since 1962. After his studies at the School of
Film and Photography in Brussels (1959- 1962), he combined commercial
work with freelance television work.
When
the photographer was living in London(1970- 1972), he broke through
with his TV Shots series, pictures of TV shots to criticize the
medium's power to manipulate. The experimental series include images
of comedy series, the Apollo flights, the Olympics, ... .
His
best known work are the series Made in Belgium(1975-1990). In 1976,
he was awarded with the Kodak Prize. The artist also documented his
trips to Morocco, India, the USA, Middle East and Russia.
Since
1981 Gruyaert may call himself a member of Magnum Photos.
From
1986 to 2001 Gruyaert engaged in taking daily pictures of his
daughters growing up.
His
main motive is the lonely individual in the urban landscape. His
colourful magic realist images rarely show people in front view,
often covering them with balloons or shadows.
His
enchanting work has been shown at the Magnum Gallery in Paris(2013,
2009), the Moscow Photo Biennale(2012), the Photography Museum in
Antwerp(2000), Palais
de Tokyo(1986) and Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels(1980).
The
retrospective of Harry Gruyaert, curated by François
Hébel, can be admired at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie
in Paris until June 14th 2015. Seventy of his photos are
simultaneously shown in Parisian metro stations.
