WILLIAM SOMERSET MAUGHAM, CIRCA 1950S

IDA KAR'S SOLO EXHIBITION AT THE WHITECHAPEL ART GALLERY IN 1960 WAS TO PROVE BOTH A GROUND-BREAKING AND HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL EVENT. IT WAS THE FIRST OCCASION IN MODERN TIMES THAT A PHOTOGRAPHER WAS ALLOWED AN EXHIBITION IN A MAJOR LONDON ART GALLERY. THE EXHIBITION REKINDLED A 19TH CENTURY DEBATE ON WHETHER PHOTOGRAPHY COULD OR SHOULD BE EXHIBITED ON AN EQUAL FOOTING WITH THE MORE TRADITIONAL FINE ARTS OF PAINTING AND SCULPTURE. THE EXHIBITION GENERATED MANY COLUMN INCHES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS AS WELL AS FUELLING DEBATE ON NATIONAL RADIO. IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EXHIBITIONS IN 20TH CENTURY BRITISH PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY AS IT OPENED THE DOORS FOR OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS TO BE SHOWN ALONGSIDE ARTISTS AND WITHIN ART GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS.