Photographic portraits of Sir Anthony Hopkins, Michael Sheen, Stereophonics, Duffy and many others are on display at Canary Wharf from 14 September.
The Talking Pictures exhibition is captured by celebrity photographer Cambridge Jones, described as Britain’s answer to Annie Leibovitz. The portraits include audio recordings of the eminent performers, designers and writers describing the inspiration for their success.
“I shoot celebrities as people rather than people as celebrities,” says Jones.
“I like my portraits to be honest without any veneer. I want a visual connection between the viewer and the subject, often jumping out of the frame. I am pleased when they walk out of a session an hour or so later and comment that they don’t feel they have been photographed. It’s almost incidental that the encounter involved a camera,” he says.
The audio accompanying each portrait is surprisingly revealing, including Michael Sheen admitting his inspiration is not a fellow actor but a controversial and often stinging critic, Kenneth Tynan. The incongruous inspiration for Damian Lewis, dashing star of Band of Brothers, is the traditional Gilbert and Sullivan.
The subjects of Talking Pictures span several generations. The elegant young designer Emma Griffiths, who looks stunning in her monochrome outfit, says that her idol was Alexander McQueen. She adds, “ironically I worked for him later on and it was a little bit surreal.”
Photographer Cambridge Jones and each of the Talking Pictures subjects share a passion for Wales. Talking Pictures is produced in association with The Welsh Assembly Government and with support from Canary Wharf Group plc.
The free exhibition is located in the lobby of the iconic One Canada Square, Britain’s tallest building, in the centre of the famous Canary Wharf business and shopping district.
FREE ENTRY
14 September – 1 October
Lobby, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf
Transport: DLR or Jubilee line tube to Canary Wharf
