A Radical Approach to the Photographic Narrative
The Store X is delighted to present A Shade of Pale, an ambitious exhibition curated by Carrie Scott that brings together a select and inimitable group of ten artists: Luca Anzalone, Lorena Lohr, Tom Munro, John Pawson, Federico Pestilli, Marina Shacola, Ellie Tsatsou, Bindi Vora, Marco Walker, and Walter & Zoniel.
Spanning two floors of the 180 Strand space, the exhibition features approximately 470 photographs, yet it does not follow the traditional format of a group show. Instead, it explores the personal, immersive journeys each artist constructs through their work, placing emphasis on the narrative power of photographic series rather than individual images.
A Title Inspired by Procol Harum’s Mystery
The exhibition takes its name from Procol Harum’s 1967 hit single A Whiter Shade of Pale, a song celebrated as much for its haunting melody as for its deliberately impenetrable lyrics. Much like the song, this exhibition resists easy categorization. It is not built upon a unifying theme, nor does it attempt to force connections between the artists’ works. Instead, it embraces the slow, unfolding experience of looking—how images accumulate meaning over time and across multiple frames, rather than in isolation.
Each artist was selected for their ability to construct a distinct visual world, inviting the viewer to engage with a narrative that develops gradually, rather than offering a single, definitive statement. In this way, A Shade of Pale highlights the power of sequencing, rhythm, and atmosphere in photography, allowing each body of work to exist as it does in the artist’s mind—complete, coherent, and uncompromised.
An Exhibition Defined by Process, Not Comparison
While the exhibition brings together a wide-ranging set of visual styles, there is no imposed relationship between the works. Any visual or thematic connections that arise do so organically, rather than by design. The focus remains on each photographer’s distinct voice, with their collections standing as independent entities within the exhibition space.
Rather than curating the show around comparisons or contrasts, A Shade of Pale allows each series to speak for itself, presenting a rare opportunity to experience the depth of an artist’s vision beyond the confines of a single frame.
A Critical Perspective
The exhibition has already drawn attention from critics, with Edward Lucie-Smith reviewing A Shade of Pale for Quiet Lunch, further solidifying its reputation as a boundary-pushing exploration of contemporary photography.
A Unique Photographic Experience
With its expansive scale and radical approach, A Shade of Pale challenges how we traditionally engage with photography. It is not about singular, iconic images but about how a collection of images can transport us into an artist’s world. Each series unfolds like a visual novel, building meaning through subtle shifts in tone, rhythm, and composition.
For those seeking an exhibition that invites contemplation rather than quick conclusions, A Shade of Pale offers a rare and immersive photographic experience, allowing viewers to see not just a collection of images, but a new way of looking altogether.
