The Albumen Gallery programme for UNSEEN at Art Rotterdam 2026 brings together three iconic names of mid-20th century photography. At first glance the works of Marilyn Stafford, Lee Miller and Colin Jones cover quite a wide spectrum of photography. Notwithstanding that there are shared aspects across their respective bodies of work that invite interesting comparison with respect to thematic and artistic approach.
Marilyn Stafford and Lee Miller are both American photographers best known for their work in Europe. The British photographer Colin Jones’ background is photojournalism. But reaching far beyond that his artistic legacy is a penetrating and sensitive social documentary on Britain in the 60s and 70s. Both Marilyn Stafford and Lee Miller moved from fashion photography to more social- documentary oriented work.
What makes the juxtaposition of these photographers interesting and significant in the context of 20th century photography is how their respective works demonstrate the fluidity of the spectrum of photography. For Colin Jones his social documentary work naturally took him into the street. Marilyn Stafford and Lee Miller were part of a generation of fashion photographers who long before focusing more on social documentary work pioneered taking fashion photography out of the studio and into real locations, sometimes borrowing the visual language of documentary and taking fashion photography into the street.
Albumen Gallery was set up in London in 2013. Specializing in 20th century and contemporary photography Albumen Gallery responds to shifting trends in how photographic art is experienced and purchased by collectors.
John Devos
johndevos.photo (a) gmail.com
