Exhibiting Photo-Magazines & the Photo Press

With the printed page a key site of photographic circulation, curators and researchers of photographic history often face the question of how to integrate publications into an exhibition. Coinciding with Photo London 2026, this event brings together museum professionals and specialist researchers to identify, discuss and propose solutions to these shared challenges. 

 

The day, which will include talks and roundtable discussions, will build upon conversations begun at the National Archives (France) during Paris Photo 2025. It will consider how the histories of photographic magazines and press archives are being recorded, collected, and displayed in a contemporary context, and the complexities of navigating this mass material. How do we use press photography to tell compelling and complex histories? What constitutes an ethical curatorial approach when working with photo-magazine and photojournalism archives? What are the practical implications and creative solutions for exhibiting bound publications? 

 

 

Speakers include Professor Niclas Östlind (University of Gothenburg) and Philippe Garner (independent auction specialist), alongside curatorial staff from Munich Stadtmuseum (Germany), National Portrait Gallery (UK), Palais Galliera (France), RIBA (UK) and the V&A. 

 

This event is co-organised by Tom Allbeson (Cardiff University), Alice Morin (Université Paris III - Sorbonne Nouvelle) and Marie-Eve Bouillon (National Archives, Paris), with Martin Barnes (V&A) and Sarah French (V&A). 

 

Full programme to follow. 

This event is supported by The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation.