St Martin-in-the-Fields

Situated on the corner of Trafalgar Square, this neo classical church was designed by James Gibbs in 1722. It is one of the landmarks of Trafalgar Square, and is also situated opposite the National Portrait Gallery where I went this morning to see the exhibition of the work of David Bailey, called Stardust.

The exhibition was fabulous, but then I just love David Bailey's portraits. I first went to an one hour lecture on the exhibition, before going to see it. Some interesting facts from the lecture ; the exhibition took 7 years to come to fruition - 2 years for the director of the NPG to convince David Bailey to have the exhibition, and another 5 years to plan it. It was carried out as per David Bailey's terms and conditions - he fully curated the exhibition without the NPG getting involved, he even prepared the exhibition catalogue. He insisted on the exhibition taking the entire first floor so other permanent exhibitions had to be moved into storage whilst this is on. He chose the 320 works that are on display although he said he could have 10 more exhibitions of this size with entirely different works, such is the size of his collections. His first exhibition ever held was at the NPG, and here he is 43 years later having a major exhibition in the same venue.

Some of his portraits are so beautiful, especially the ones of beautiful people like David Bowie and Kate Moss. Some images I found very unsettling and had to look away - like the naked man with so many body piercings in his testicles that you cannot begin to even imagine what it looks like! I think he was the forerunner of the high key shot that is so popular today, he has many beautiful portraits on plain white backgrounds. Interestingly many in a square crop, and sometimes a very tight crop that defies the rules of cutting bits out of a frame. But if you can, do go see it!

Here are some more images of bendy London.