Trafalgar Square - New perspectives

While I was visiting Oxford, I made a day trip to London with my friends. I saw three exhibitions that gave me renewed insight into the visual arts.

The Photographers' Gallery at 16-18 Ramillies Street was showing the work of the four finalists for the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize: Paul Graham, Emily Jacir, Tod Papageorge and Taryn Simon. Paul Simon won the prize for his eloquent studies of the moments and the people we rarely notice as we go about our daily life.

At the Frith Street Gallery - which is not on Frith Street, but at 17-18 Golden Square - I saw John Riddy's show Low Relief. Riddy's views of London reminded me that there is more than one way to look at a city. Images taken at night and from alleyways can sometimes reveal more than daytime views of street facades.

My last stop was the National Portrait Gallery at Trafalgar Square to see the paintings of Gerhard Richter. His portraits, inspired by newspaper photographs and family photographs, are testimonials to the transience and uncertainty of life.

As I walked through Trafalgar Square, I also cast my eye on St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church and the statues honoring Edith Cavell and Horatio Nelson.