Thoroughly Modern: The pioneering life of Barbara Ker-Seymer, photographer, and her brilliant Bohemian friends

Barbara Ker-Seymer was a pioneering photographer who defied convention by rejecting lucrative society portraits in favor of modern images. Her work was widely admired by her peers, and she was a bisexual woman who lived her life as a feminist. Ker-Seymer's photographs are known for whom they represent, rather than the face behind the camera, and she was able to link arms with the surrealists, the Bloomsbury Group, the Bright Young Things, and the worlds of theatre, cabaret, and jazz.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 08 June 2023
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Barbara Ker-Seymer, a pioneering photographer of the 1920s and 1930s, was a captivating figure who defied societal conventions and embraced a hedonistic lifestyle. Born in 1905, Ker-Seymer grew up in a privileged family and was educated at Oxford University. However, her passion for photography led her to pursue a career that was both unconventional and controversial.

Ker-Seymer's work was characterized by her bold and unapologetic approach to photography. She eschewed traditional society portraits in favor of modern images that captured the essence of her subjects. Her subjects included artists, dancers, writers, actors, and musicians, all of whom flocked to her Bond Street studio in search of a unique and authentic portrait.

One of Ker-Seymer's most notable sitters was Evelyn Waugh, the author of "A Handful of Dust." Waugh was a close friend of Ker-Seymer and was known for his wit and humor, which she captured in her photographs. Other notable sitters included Margot Fonteyn, the legendary ballerina, and Cyril Connolly, the writer and humorist.

Ker-Seymer's work was widely admired by her peers, including Man Ray and Jean Cocteau. She was particularly known for her portraits of the aristocracy and Bright Young Things, which were featured in Harper's Bazaar. However, her work was not without controversy.

Ker-Seymer was a bisexual woman, a fact that was not widely accepted in her time. She was open about her sexuality and often depicted herself in photographs with her female lovers. Her contempt for racism, misogyny, and homophobia was also evident in her work, which often challenged societal norms and expectations.

Despite her unconventional lifestyle and controversial work, Ker-Seymer remained fiercely independent. She rejected the idea of family and preferred to surround herself with a wide set of creative friends, with Edward Burra, William Billy Chappell, and Frederick Ashton at its core.

Today, Ker-Seymer's photographs are celebrated for their boldness and authenticity. They are known for the people they represent rather than the face behind the camera, a reflection of the misattributed nature of her work. Ker-Seymer's legacy as a pioneering photographer continues to inspire and influence artists and photographers around the world.

In conclusion, Barbara Ker-Seymer was a remarkable figure who defied societal conventions and embraced a hedonistic lifestyle. Her bold and unapologetic approach to photography captured the essence of her subjects and her unconventional personal life reflected her contempt for racism, misogyny, and homophobia. Ker-Seymer's legacy as a pioneering photographer continues to inspire and influence artists and photographers around the world.

Weight: 596g
Dimension: 163 x 243 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780349011516