His photographs are famed for giant sets and fairytale fantasies, so why is Tim Walker shooting portraits on plain white backgrounds?
Britain's master of photographic fantasy is going back to basics in a 250-portrait London show
Tim Walker, renowned for his extravagant fashion photography, has shifted his focus to a new series of portraits shot against plain white backgrounds. The 50 portraits in Tim Walker's Fairyland: Love and Legends at London's National Portrait Gallery celebrate over 50 years of queer activism, community, and love. The stark backgrounds are intentional nods to Walker's time working with photographer Richard Avedon in the 1990s.
Despite the plain settings, Walker's portraits capture the unique personalities of the subjects, with many bringing personal objects to the session. The exhibition, designed by Walker's longtime collaborator Shona Heath, features portraits of activists, actors, musicians, and fashion icons, ranging from Ian McKellen and Lady Gaga to Ben Whishaw and Francis Lee.
The show concludes with staged erotic scenes subverting fairy tales and nursery rhymes, emphasizing that one's difference is their power. Walker's Fairyland: Love and Legends runs from October to February, free for members.
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