An exhibition of portraits of cultural icons from different generations and backgrounds, by Scarborough-born photographer Derrick Santini, opens at Scarborough Art Gallery in the spring.
Included in the exhibition are portraits of famous musicians, entertainers and actors, including Adele, Dame Judi Dench, Idris Elba, One Direction and Stephen Graham.
Self Made refers to Derrick’s own story of how he has shaped a professional career as a celebrated photographer and showcases the unique and inspiring individuals who have contributed significantly to British culture and made their mark in, and on, Britain in portraits taken over the last 30 years.
Derrick Santini says: ‘After completing my BA Hons in Photography and Communication my professional career began. I was soon shooting a host of musical artists, for press and artwork. I love music so it felt natural to be working with musicians: lots of portraits for a diverse array of publications, from Vice to Vogue, agencies and companies in the UK, Europe and America.
‘s a photographer I have spent my life searching out something to photograph, hunting elusive moments, and channelling desired ones. These decisive moments, split seconds in time, create a photograph, which in itself is the very essence of the art of photography. Amazing, incredible timeless moments, seen, cajoled, spirited, ultimately captured in that moment and thus born to the world.’
Dorcas Taylor, Head of Collections and Interpretation at Scarborough Museums and Galleries, says: ‘Visitors to the exhibition will come face-to-face with some of the most famous people from the worlds of art, fashion, music and stage, and others less familiar, but who they will find equally intriguing.
‘They all have one thing in common with us. In the same way that we might strike a pose when someone takes our photo, these portraits are ‘made’. Some might look natural, some staged. Some seem to reveal more about the sitter than others. What version of that person are we looking at? There is a three-way conversation going on and it is this relationship between photographer, sitter and viewer that is also at the heart of this exhibition.’
Derrick Santini was born in Scarborough in 1965 and attended St Martin’s CE Primary School and Graham School before moving to Harrogate where he studied Photography at Harrogate College.
He holds a BA Hons in Photography and Communication from the London College of Printing (now LCC). His portraits have been acquired by the National Portrait Gallery and he has exhibited in the UK and internationally. His innovative approach and techniques have seen him lead masterclass workshops, most notably in Lenticular photography, which he is a great exponent of.
His work has been featured in many prestigious publications including Vice and Vogue, and he continues to work commercially and editorially, as well as publishing numerous articles on photography.
Derrick says :’I loved being a kid in Scarborough, it had it all: all the fun of the fair, some might say. The summers were sun and fun – we lived in the South Bay pool through the summer. On some days it was so packed you could barely find a spot to roost. Equally I loved the black and white winters, the contrasts of light and dark, and above all I love the sea.’
Derrick will also be running workshops with students from a local school. The students will curate an exhibition of their own work that will be displayed alongside Derrick’s portraits.
Self Made can be seen at the gallery from Saturday 18 May to Sunday 1 September 2024.
Scarborough Art Gallery is open from 10am to 5pm every day except Monday (plus Bank Holidays). Entry is free with an annual pass (£3), which also allows unlimited free entry to the Rotunda Museum.
scarboroughmuseumsandgalleries.org.uk