Alan Schaller | Harbour of Light

25th March-25th June
at FORTNUM & MASON, K11 MUSEA, Hong Kong

Fresh from a show of his work at our flagship store in Piccadilly, Fortnum's invites you to join us at the first ever photographic exhibition to be held in our 181 restaurant — a brilliant series of 8 never-before-seen black and white photographs of Hong Kong by renowned monochrome photographer, Alan Schaller.

From ancient to present day, artists and people alike have sought to capture, distort, and re-create light. Whether a burning flame, sunlight flooding through a window, or the glimmer of gold leaf in a religious text, illumination evokes an emotive response. This motif carries symbolic weight across cultures from representing expansion of intellectual thought to the triumph of order over chaos.

Parallels can be drawn between influential historical artists and their insatiable desire to experiment with light. Renaissance artist Michelangelo set out to portray heavenly, fictionalised light through inventive atmospheric effects, Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer explored how natural light responds to various materials, and Claude Monet was captivated by the absence of light.

Based in London and self-taught, this extraordinary series showcases photographs taken throughout Hong Kong by the renowned monochrome photographer, Alan Schaller.

Defined by his unique high contrast approach to the world around him, Schaller's photonoir pictures capture the essence of a fleeting scene, enveloping people in a world of light bursting through darkness. Often abstract and frequently incorporating elements of surrealism and geometry, his work explores the realities and diversities of human life, and seeks to reveal the extraordinary in the ordinary.

“Hong Kong, a city as dynamic as its skyline, is a testament to resilience, prosperity, and a vibrant tapestry of life," says Alan. "Amidst the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, the spirit of this metropolis pulsates with energy, embodying a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity.”

About Alan Schaller

Alan's work has been published in publications including The Guardian, The New York Times T Magazine, The Washington Post, The Financial Times, South China Morning Post, Time Out, The Independent and The Evening Standard.

His work has also been exhibited in galleries around the world, including the Saatchi Gallery, The Leica Galleries in London, Boston, Washington D.C., The Edit Space in Milan, and The Leica Galleries in Sydney & Melbourne.

Alan is the co-founder of the Street Photography International Collective (SPi). The SPi Instagram account is the largest dedicated street photography resource in the world with over 1.1 million followers. Alan's personal Instagram has also recently passed 1 million followers.

Alan lists his influences as Robert Doisneau, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Ernst Haas, Mary Ellen Mark, Elliott Erwitt, Sebastio Salgado, Cecil Beaton, Fan Ho and Don McCullin.

His favourite cities for street photography include London, Havana, Istanbul, New York and Kyoto.

Alan uses Leica M Cameras. Mostly the Monochrom Typ 246, and the Leica M10-P, with a variety of Leica M lenses.