Saturday June 27th saw the opening of a retrospective exhibition in the Gregynog Gallery, National Library of Wales featuring photographs and material from the archive of Philip Jones Griffiths. Best known for his coverage of the Vietnam War and its aftermath he also served as President of Magnum from 1980 to 1985. His archive is now lodged at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. On display are in excess of 100 photographs including unseen prints from his visits to Vietnam which culminated in the publication of Vietnam Inc in 1971.
The exhibition contains biographical information, archive documents, cameras, personal effects and material from his personal library. In many instances photographs are displayed alongside the relevant contact sheet.There is also a bunker containing a digital 'slide show' of further images from Vietnam Inc as well as a darkroom featuring a short audio commentary on six of his best known images from Vietnam. Much of Griffiths' work in Vietnam was shot on colour slide film and there is an opportunity to see some of his best known images in both colour and black and white.
His work subsequent to Vietnam is explored through a selection of sixty colour prints exploring the depth and breadth of his photography.
The exhibition is a joint exhibition between the National Library of Wales and the Philip Jones Griffiths Foundation for the Study of War. It runs until December 12th 2015.
Comments