The March 2009 issue of Waitrose Food Illustrated, in particular, is filled with a number of features examining the relationship between art and food. Photography and style director, Tabitha Hawkins celebrated the relationship between food and art by commissioning photographers to produce images in the style of paintings in a 10-page feature and cover story. One image by Jonathan Gregson shows a late 18th century still life, taking direct influence from Jean-Siméon Chardin. The fruit seems to act as an allegorical reference.
The everyday objects are blended into a realistic atmosphere, yet there is a feeling of illusion, created by the soft lighting and the juxtaposition of food and utensils. The objects in the photograph suggest that this scene is to be painted, strongly indicated by the paintbrush in the water pot.
More recently, Waitrose Kitchen produced a beautiful food photo story, photographed by Gus Filgate. Tabitha Hawkins pushed for the idea to be used in the magazine, as the images are dark – unlike the usual style of the other photographs. The contrast between light and dark areas of the photograph are strong and not usually seen in food photography, as this style of lighting isn’t necessarily the most appropriate in the genre. The beautiful images could be framed and mounted for exhibition in a gallery.
Images from the March 2009 issue, along with sixteen other Waitrose Food Illustrated photographs from previous years (by Rob White, Yuki Sugiura, Con Poulos and David Loftus), were exhibited in the Waitrose Food Illustrated’s ‘Food and Art’ Exhibition, which ran for two months in the Café and Trafalgar Room at the National Gallery. The exhibition celebrated 10 years of the magazine and tied in with the launch of The National Cookbook, compiled from recipes from the National Dining Rooms’ kitchens.
No comments:
Post a Comment