Royal Academy Summer Show 2012 Vanishing Day

I had a magical start to the week at The Royal Academy Vanishing Day on Monday 28^th May for the first day of previews before the official opening of the Summer Show on June 4^th.

Savoy external lettering in Savoy grill, The Savoy, June 2009 is hanging in the Harry & Carol Djanogly Gallery which is curated this year by Peter French RA and Chris Orr RA. It was crowded with artist milling around the really beautifully curated galleries. I loved the impact of the Wohl Central Hall with its red walls ’chosen as a homage to Matisse’s Red Studio’ and the very colorful themed artwork displayed on them. It both commanded attention and acted as a place to orientate oneself when deciding on ‘where to go next’. A real feast – the Summer Exhibition opens  on June 4^th and runs until August 12^th 2012  http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/summer-exhibition-2012/

Royal Academy of Arts, Summer Show 2012

Savoy external lettering in Savoy grill, The Savoy, June 2009

I am honoured that  one of my photographs from The Savoy series has been chosen by the Royal Academy of Arts, for the Summer Show 2012. It is my first year to enter so a real surprise to receive notification a couple of days ago. I am looking forward to attending The Vanishing Day Service and afterwards seeing the exhibition. Exhibition opens to the public on June 4th and runs until August 12th at Piccadilly, London W1J OBD.
http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/summer-exhibition-2012/

Shown here, the selected photograph is one of 34 photographs from my forthcoming solo exhibition which opens on June 14th and runs until June 20th - see previous blog for further details or contact me at siobhan@siobhanoran.com

The Savoy Restoration Exhibition | June 14th - 20th 2012

siobhan@siobhandoran.com

Knoll & Missing Photography Competition Entry

From the series Missing, Point Hill, Greenwich, London

I was delighted to be short listed for this competition; by coming across the competition call, I was reminded of a project called Missing I had started in 2004. The image attached to this post is from that series.  It is a project close to my heart, as it was a turning point while studying photography, that I realized, I could and perhaps would change paths form architecture. Coming across this competition call has given me a prompt to return and complete the series... also encouraging to see commercial companies partnering with charities to both inspire and help others. 

For more information contact me at siobhan@siobhandoran.com

Savoy | The Restoration reviewed and recommended by Laura Noble from Diemar & Noble for the Spring Edition of fLIP

With hotel rooms starting from £300 and running into the thousands, for many The Savoy would be the ultimate decadent experience. With a history as rich as its clientele, when its doors closed for refurbishment at midday on

the 15th of December 2007, it was officially closed for the first time in its 118-year history.

But just as the proverb says, ‘As one door closes another one opens’, and open it did for photographer Siobhán Doran, whose access-all-areas gave her the unique opportunity to record the changes taking place within the aging interiors of this incredible iconic building.

Her images do not only record the transition from beginning to end of the transformation, they also seize the multiplicity of the task at hand through sensitively composed glimpses at the very bare bones of the building. The layers as they are peeled away expose the changes in time like the rings of a tree trunk. Each layer has its purpose whether it be for function or façade. Abstract alignments of brick against concrete, broken tiles and floral wallpaper become pictorial and pleasing on the eye. Each element no matter how deconstructed retains a beauty, indeed an appreciation of the past as it steps towards the glossy future of decadent delights to come.

As the book progresses and the detail transforms from structural achievement to stunning artistry, Doran continues her document in the same way. In treating each and every element of the process as such she brings The Savoy

to life and more importantly her photographs also. This is a fascinating book from every angle and I urge you to discover it for yourself.

The book is a Clothbound hardback, 
178 pages, 290mm x 290mm
, 110 colour plates
 ISBN: 978-1-907893-14-8




It can be purchased gift wrapped and signed at The Savoy http://www.shopatthesavoy.com/the-savoy-collection/gifts/restoration-book.html 

alternatively, an unsigned copy is available at http://www.dewilewispublishing.com/GENERAL/NEW&RECENT.html 

The brief was to capture atmosphere and a sense of detailed closeup

It was a wonderful commission from Mole Architects www.molearchitects.co.uk and it gave me the opportunity to visit some beautiffully designed homes, which have been lived in for a number of years and are looked after impeccably. One can tell how well the design works when you observe the way these homes are cared for. For similar commisions please contact siobhan@siobhandoran.com

'don't ask me about this building or that one, don't look at what I do. see what I saw '

I came across this quote whilst looking through a book by Luis Barragán and  Rene Burrí - it made me smile. This image is from an interior shoot in London.

'One year in Ashridge' Landscape Series available



One year in Ashridge, Winter Series, Untitled No. 5

What I find most inspiring about the forest is its ability to invite you in through the endless amount of ‘open doors’ that call for your attention. Once inside, this tranquil space allows you to observe its calmness, beauty and quietude. By observing groups of trees rather than individual ones, I begin to see this work as a study in verticals and colour – as well as an exploration of how the adjacencies and location of the trees have a bearing on their appearance and stature. Twelve months may initially appear too short a time in which to observe and record a forest, especially considering that the beech trees in Ashridge have existed for many centuries. However, it is the deciduous nature of this forest that is responsible for its spectacular annual visible change – as elements decay and fall away and new growth emerges, repeating the cycle from year to year.

The great woods of Ashridge extend across 2,965 acres, making it one of the largest areas of deciduous woodland in England.

The print shown here is from the Winter Series

A contact sheet showing the series captured over the four seasons along with editions and prices is available upon request. Contact siobhan@siobhandoran.com

St James Group Ltd - OneSE8 final phase completes

This is the final phase of the OneSE8 development in Deptford, which I was fortunate to capture recently for St James Group Ltd. For enquiries regarding the photography contact me at siobhan@siobhandoran.com

www.stjames.co.uk

Fitzrovia Photography Prize Hoarding Launch by Diemar/Noble Photography together with Exemplar, Aviva Investors & Kaupthing

The exhibition of Fitzrovia Photography Prize by Diemar/Noble Photography together with Exemplar, Aviva Investors & Kaupthing will open Tuesday the 21st of February at Black & Blue opposite the Mortimer Street open air exhibition. All photographs are displayed on Hoarding and lit. Opening night is by invite only.

As a finalist, one of my Savoy photographs Thames Study during Savoy Restoration No. 3 was chosen (as shown here).  I will update you about the event after the opening, tomorrow - really looking forward to the seeing the photography in such a unique way.

http://www.diemarnoble.com/