YBAs’ Holiday Snaps Go on View in Manchester

A collection of holiday snaps by the English photographer Johnnie Shand Kydd has gone on display at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester, England, the Independent reports.

Every summer since 1999 Shand Kydd photographed artists, curators and writers who have been invited to vacation at the British art collector Pauline Karpidas’ holiday home on the Greek island of Hydra. The shots capture intimate moments between several YBA stalwarts such as Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas, and 2003 Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry, as they swim in the Mediterranean and frequent the island’s bars.

Shand Kydd told the Independent “[the island] had a preservation order slapped on it in the 1960s, so there’s been little development since.” He elaborated “It’s only an hour from Athens, but it’s an untouched place. There are no cars and you have to travel around by donkey or water taxi. It’s amazing.”

Revealing more details on his private photo collection, the London-based photographer explained, “In the early days it tended to be full of young artists who probably couldn’t afford a holiday.” He added “Great friendships and working relationships have been forged there. I think what’s quite nice about the island is the lack of hierarchy that you would usually get in the art world in New York or London. As soon as you put people in swimming trunks, things become much more democratic.”

He also had some comforting words for the subjects of his snaps. “I don’t think they should be concerned […] they all look fabulous.”


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