Pipeline is pleased to present a solo exhibition by photographer William Waterworth. Interested in an inherent, abstract beauty and the powerful role photography has in shaping that, William Waterworth’s pictures highlight the fundamental nature of how we look at others and what it is to feel seen. They tell stories of the importance of place and people, ancient landscapes and timeless subjects. Occupying the entire gallery space, his solo exhibition Ein Tir, which translates to ‘Our Land’ in Welsh, chronicles new series and key pivotal works. In the end room of the gallery, a feverish display of collage and writing gives context to Waterworth’s recent body of work. Included is a pilgrimage to Julia Margaret Cameron’s home on the Isle of Wight, the story of Zissou and the flying machine, and the journey a carpenter makes to the Alps inspired by Thomas Mann’s novel ‘The Magic Mountain’ (1924). These expeditions are brought to life with a range of reference material by contributing artists, including video work by Joel Kerr and costumes designed by Edie Ashley installed on the lower ground floor.
Presented in the main gallery are carefully constructed images that are most precious to the artist and which pull together the different corners of his practice. Although often unassuming, his subjects always possess something extraordinary. In recent work, Waterworth follows the characters that fascinate him, locating them in their environments and uniting people and place. At the forefront of the exhibition is a unique handmade book of 100 prints, inspired by Guy Bourdin book of images ‘Untouched’ (2017) and presented on a lectern made by Arthur Poujois. The book is the root of the exhibition and an indicator for Waterworth's use of photography as a medium. Central to his practice and submerged throughout, is a quest for stories and the places they are created within which allow them to unravel.
William Waterworth (b.1996, Macclesfield, UK), lives and works in London. He studied History of Art at Manchester University. Inspired by a seminar on the American photographer Sally Mann, he left to study photography in Paris where he was awarded the Prix Picto de la Photographie de Mode. Following his studies, Waterworth assisted Swiss photographer Michel Comte in Austria. He has worked for brands such as Alexander McQueen, Erdem and John Skelton. Waterworth had his first solo exhibition at Burleigh Street Townhouse, London (2019). His work has been published by Vogue, Acne Paper, AnOther, D Republica, Dazed.
