Earlier this week, the Victoria and Albert Museum announced the first details of a new Tim Walker solo exhibition, set to open in September 2019. V&A director Tristan Hunt was delighted that Walker would 'work his magic' at the museum, building on his internationally celebrated reputation as a fashion photographer. Hunt broke the news that Walker would be unveiling a 'brand new body of work inspired by the V&A's collection', the British Journal of Photography reported.
Praised by i-D Magazine as the 'inventor of fantastic and hallucinatory fashion worlds in a career spanning over 25 years', Walker has developed a cult following, demonstrated by the enthusiastic reception with which the exhibition's announcement has been met. Vogue paid tribute to Walker's 'wondrous imagination', whilst the photographer was described as a 'genius […] that doesn't need an introduction' by Dazed Magazine, and as 'iconic' by Wonderland Magazine.
In an interview with Vogue, V&A curator Susanna Brown described Walker's longstanding fascination with the museum: 'The beautiful and eclectic objects housed in the V&A have influenced HIM since the start of his career. He has spent months exploring our collection and delving deep into the museum stores to gain inspiration for his new pictures which will form the heart of the exhibition [...] This is a project we've been talking about for several years, and it's going to be a spectacular show.'
Another Man reported that Walker's long-term art director, Shona Heath, would be designing the exhibition to provide "immersive, behind-the-scenes" insight into the photographer's work. She is keen to pay homage to 'the stylists, makeup artists, set designers, models and artists' who have realised Walker's creative vision. The exhibition is expected to include films, sets, and installations, alongside Walker's legendary photographs.
The V&A's exhibition will be Walker's third solo exhibition in London, following retrospectives at Somerset House (2012), and the Design Museum (2008).
– Lucy Fleming-Brown
Exhibition opens 7 September, 2019
Tickets available soon
