Phantasmagoria: Photographs by Marco Sanges

Proud Camden presents Phantasmagoria, a shifting series of apparitions, optical trickery and illusions from award-winning Italian photographer Marco Sanges. This exhibition brings together a stunning retrospective of Sanges’ most surreal and dreamlike black and white photography alongside collaborations with Agent Provocateur, large scale prints, and a unique, site-specific installation. This London retrospective follows Marco Sanges’ 2012 exhibition Beyond Decadence; part of the Downtown program of Amsterdam Fashion Week and of Amsterdam Gay Pride.

Marco Sanges’ iconic black and white photography is inspired by sequential nature of cinema, in particular the luminous black and white films of the silent era. His work traces a narrative of imagination, desire, and the fantastical: backdrops shift and evocative figures flit from frame to frame in this dramatic series. Phantasmagoria establishes Sanges as a master illusionist; a true conjurer of phantasms and a dexterous storyteller. Amid these storyboards and interconnected prints, Phantasmagoria will exhibit a new, site-specific installation.

Proud Camden is delighted to present Phantasmagoria, an imaginary cinema of nudity and voyeurism, sexuality and costume, danger and play. Marco Sanges’ vivid and yet transitory photographs distort reality, creating a fantasy world which provokes, astounds and delights.

Marco Sanges
Born in Rome, Marco Sanges is a man of many talents. Drawn in by the seduction of the cinema, the fashion world, and photography from an early age, Sanges began his career in photographic studio near his home. Now based in London, his theatrical vision and award-winning work has regarded him as one of the most innovative photographers working today.

Past exhibitions include: Art and Design London (2012), Gosh Art Auction curated by Tamara Ecclestone London (2011), Edward James Foundation (West Dean) (2011), Espai Barcelona(2010), Hay Hill Gallery, Cork street, London, (2010), Hackney Empire, London, (2010), Windsor Arts Centre (2010), GG Gallery, London (2010), Wanted gallery, London (2010), Take Home a Nude, NY Academy of Arts curated by Eileen Guggenheim New York (2009), Jonathan Cooper Park Walk Gallery London (2008), British Art Fair London (2008), Art London (2008), Arte Fiera Bologna (2004). Marco's work is in the permanent collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in the USA.

His images have been used for a vast range of elite clientele, including: Agent Provocateur, Dolce & Gabbana, Vogue Italia, The Sunday Telegraph, Elle, B&W Photography, Creative Review, La Repubblica, Esquire, and Harpers Bazaar.

A multi disciplinary artist, his film Circumstances won Best Art Film, The Portobello Film Festival 2008, London and Best Experimental Film in Open Cinema Film Festival 2009, St. Pertersburg, Russia. Marco has also produced a book of the same title.

Proud Galleries
Proud Galleries was launched in Autumn 1998. Its ethos? To bring the very best in high quality photography to the mainstream market. Proud instantly took the photography world by storm and quickly grew into Europe’s most popular private photography gallery.

Today the Proud brand runs one of the most visited destinations in London. Three galleries, a live music venue and a Cabaret club have cemented its success and in a harsh economic climate, Proud continues to expand.

Never failing to exhibit the work of the world’s best photographers, Proud has hosted shows by everyone from Terry O’Neill to Jerry Schatzberg, Gered Mankowitz to Ken Russell. With star-studded launch parties and some of the best press coverage in the country, the unique Proud formula has situated the company at the very top of its game.