FACE TO FACE
Scarborough-born photographer Derrick Santini has set his lens on an array of famous faces during his celebrated career - now his hometown is showing his work for all
An exhibition of portraits of cultural icons from different generations and backgrounds, by Scarborough-born photographer Derrick Santini, opens at Scarborough Art Gallery in the spring.
Included in the exhibition are portraits of famous musicians, entertainers and actors, including Adele, Dame Judi Dench, Idris Elba, One Direction and Stephen Graham.
Self Made refers to Derrick’s own story of how he has shaped a professional career as a celebrated photographer, and showcases the unique and inspiring individuals who have contributed significantly to British culture and made their mark in, and on, Britain in portraits taken over the past 30 years.
Derrick Santini was born in Scarborough in 1965 and attended St Martin’s CE Primary School and Graham School before moving to Harrogate, where he studied Photography at Harrogate College.
He holds a BA Hons in Photography and Communication from the London College of Printing (now LCC). Derrick Santini says: ‘After completing my BA Hons my professional career began. I was soon shooting a host of musical artists, for press and artwork. I love music so it felt natural to be working with musicians: lots of portraits for a diverse array of publications, from Vice to Vogue, agencies and companies in the UK, Europe and America.
‘As a photographer I have spent my life searching out something to photograph, hunting elusive moments and channelling desired ones. These decisive moments, split seconds in time, create a photograph, which in itself is the very essence of the art of photography. Amazing, incredible timeless moments, seen, cajoled, spirited, ultimately captured in that moment and thus born to the world.’
Dorcas Taylor, head of collections and interpretation at Scarborough Museums and Galleries, says: ‘Visitors to the exhibition will come face to face with some of the most famous people from the worlds of art, fashion, music and stage, and others less familiar, but who they will find equally intriguing.
‘They all have one thing in common with us. In the same way that we might strike a pose when someone takes our photo, these portraits are “mad
