Social History / Documentary photography
Photographic exhibition shows contemporary portraits of Holocaust survivors
An exhibition of portrait photography opened at the Royal Photographic Society on Holocaust Memorial Day, and runs until March 27.
Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors features work from 13 leading contemporary photographers – all members or honorary fellows of the RPS, alongside a series of specially commissioned images from RPS patron, The Duchess of Cambridge.
An estimated 6 million Jews died in the Holocaust. This powerful collection of portraits underscores the collective responsibility of society to tell people’s stories, and ensure that the lives of those lost to genocide around the world are never forgotten.
is needed now More than ever
Many of the images were captured in the spring of 2021. They portray Holocaust survivors, sometimes clutching mementoes from their childhood, or alongside loved ones, and highlight some of the myriad ways in which they have rebuilt their lives having escaped the Nazis.
The exhibition is created in partnership with the Imperial War Museum, Jewish News, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and supported by Dangoor Education.
Ruth Sands – photo: Jillian Edelstein
Ruth Sands was smuggled to France as a baby, before eventually being reunited with her parents. She has two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.
The exhibiting photographers are: Frederic Aranda, Sian Bonnell, Jillian Edelstein, Arthur Edwards, Anna Fox, Joy Gregory, Jane Hilton, Tom Hunter, Carolyn Mendelsohn, Simon Roberts, Michelle Sank, Karen Knorr and The Duchess of Cambridge.
Tracy Marshall-Grant, the RPS project curator says: “This exhibition honours those who escaped the Holocaust and celebrates the full lives that they have led in the UK since their arrival.
Iby Knill BEM – photo: Sian Bonnell
Iby Knill was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1944 and liberated while on a death march in 1945. She did not speak of her experience for 50 years, not even to her children.
“Each portrait shows the special connection between the survivor and subsequent generations of their family, and it emphasises their important legacy.
“The portraits, by leading contemporary British photographers, seek to simultaneously inspire audiences to consider their own responsibility to remember and to share the stories of those who endured persecution.
Ben Helfgott MBE – photo: Frederic Ananda
Ben Helfgott MBE with his grandson Sam. After the war Ben became a champion weightlifter.
“It creates a legacy that will allow those descendants to connect directly back and inspire future generations.”
Alongside the exhibition, the RPS will be holding a series of events, including an Open Day on March 6, which will include talks with survivors and photographers.
Steven Frank – photo: The Duchess of Cambridge
Steven Frank, aged 84, with his granddaughters Maggie and Trixie. Steven survived multiple concentration camps as a child.
Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors is at The RPS Gallery, Royal Photographic Society, 337 Paintworks, Arnos Vale, Bristol, BS4 3AR until March 27. The gallery is open Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm, and is free to attend, but advanced online booking is required. More information on the exhibition and accompanying events can be found at www.rps.org/generations.
Main photo: Frederic Aranda – Ben Helfgott MBE with his grandson Sam. After the war Ben became a champion weightlifter.
Read more: Multiple perspectives through a photographic lens
Listen to the latest episode of the Bristol 24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
