New exhibition featuring David Bowie and James Dean curated by University of Gloucestershire lecturer

A new exhibition at a major gallery in Amsterdam, curated by University of Gloucestershire Senior Lecturer, features previously unseen portraits of David Bowie and James Dean.

Matthew Murray, Senior Lecturer for Editorial and Advertising Photography at the University of Gloucestershire, has curated an exhibition at ElliottHalls Gallery, Amsterdam. ​​The exhibition includes portraits of David Bowie, James Dean, Jack Nicholson and Dustin Hoffman on the set of “The Graduate’. 

The theme, based around the ‘Non-conformist’, is an exhibition that celebrates difference, experimentation and empowerment. The collection also features the original work of alumnus Ellie Ramsden, who recently graduated from the BA (Hons) Photography: Editorial and Advertising course. Ellie’s photography is as part of her ongoing series celebrating female artists working within the ‘Grime’ music genre, fitting in with the theme. 

ElliottHalls Gallery in Amsterdam, a leading authority in the European fine art photography scene, invited Matthew to curate an exhibition around a theme of his choice as part of an online programme of exhibitions curated by artists the gallery represent. 

Ellie Ramsden, recent graduate and artist included in the exhibition, said:
“In August Matthew reached out to me to ask if I’d like to be part of the online exhibition “Non-Conformist”, that he was curating for Elliott Halls Gallery. He’d picked out an image from my project “Too Many Man: Women of Grime” which shows Madders, an MC, and Shan, a videographer sat on the ledge of the block of flats they live in. Matthew let me know that my work would sit among images from some of the most brilliant photographers such as Norman Parkinson, Brian Duffy and Bob Willoughby. I felt honoured for my work to be offered a space to sit amongst such great photographers. I’m very excited to grow my contacts within the gallery space as this will open up more opportunities for growth within my career.” 

Matthew Murray, Senior Lecturer on Editorial and Advertising Photography and curator of the exhibition, said:
“I was very pleased to be invited to curate an exhibition for the ElliottHalls gallery, who have represented me for 20 years. Researching the vast archive at the gallery has allowed me to showcase the previously unseen work of inspirational artists and photographers, selecting photographic work which has historical and cultural impact across generations. 

Our BA Photography: Editorial and Advertising course is a creative, professionally orientated course, with a long standing, well recognised reputation within the creative industries. Awarded the Association of Photographers Course of the Year 2020 and 2018, we are very proud of the work our students create and the success they achieve both during the course and after they graduate.” 

The exhibition runs from 1 September to 30 November 2020 and can be viewed here. 

To see a huge range of work from all year groups and graduate features, visit the Editorial and Advertising Photography BA(Hons) course blog here​.​​​