Elton’s Photography Collection Now on Display at Tate Modern

Elton at home with his photographs.

Just as many fans around the world accumulate Elton’s albums and recordings, Elton also enjoys collecting. In fact, over the past 25 years, he and his husband David Furnish have put together one of the largest private collections of photography in the world.

And starting today, the public can view over 150 rare vintage prints from this assemblage as The Radical Eye: Modernist Photography from the Sir Elton John Collection opens at Tate Modern in London.

Elton, who has recorded an audio tour for viewers of the collection, says, “Each of these photographs serves as inspiration for me in my life; they line the walls of my homes and I consider them precious gems.”

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a peek inside Elton’s home and delight in seeing up-close remarkable works by more than 60 artists including seminal figures such as Man Ray, André Kertész, Berenice Abbot, Alexandr Rodchenko and Edward Steichen.

The Radical Eye has already garnered exquisite reviews from various British publications:

★ London Times – “For anyone who even vaguely likes photography, this is a must-see show.”

★ Daily Telegraph – “His compulsive collecting…is showcased in this astonishing exhibition.”

★ Financial Times – “The decisive moments when art photography broke away from the traditions of painting have gone on display at Tate Modern…”

★ The Guardian – “Tate said the John exhibition marked the beginning of what it called a ‘long-term relationship’ with John and his partner, David Furnish, agreeing to give ‘important works to the nation’.”

You may watch the Tate Modern video below of Elton discussing his passion for collecting modernist photography.