Blog

Ida Chow (R) speaking to Yang-May Ooi (L) about John Thomson's legacy for modern audiances - John Thomson Exhibition

John Thomson’s legacy for modern audiences – Ida Chow [video]

East Asian Art history fan Ida Chow talks to multi-media blogger Yang-May Ooi on the John Thomson Exhibition Video Blog about the legacy of John Thomson's photographs of Old China and Siam for modern audiences. Come to the John Thomson Exhibition Exhibition: China and Siam – Through the Lens of John Thomson Venue: Brunei Gallery, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, London WC1H 0XG, near Russell Square Dates: 13 April to 23 June ...
Read More
Michael Wood - for the John Thomson Exhibition

Don’t Miss Historian Michael Wood’s Lecture on John Thomson’s Photographs of Late Qing dynasty China!

Come and learn all about China and John Thomson from historian Michael Wood - for FREE! The Greatest Photographic Record of The People of Late Qing Dynasty China Historian and film maker Michael Wood reflects on Thomson’s amazing and moving images, the greatest photographic record of the people of Late Qing dynasty China and the role they played in presenting daily life in China to the Victorian public. Book Your Ticket Now EVENT: ...
Read More
Vase seller - John THomson Exhibition

A Record of Daily Life in Old China – Meixin Wang on the photographs of John Thomson

Meixin Wang, China Resource Specialist at the British Museum tells us how John Thomson’s photographs can help us understand the history of China During the 1860s, Scottish photo-journalist travelled across South East Asia and China. He took with him the latest camera equipment of the time, using the wet plate photographic technique. He captured street scenes, people and landscapes - and his photos of China are on display at a ...
Read More
Fruitseller, China, 1860s - by John Thomson

Victorian Photographer John Thomson on Social Media

We think of historical figures, especially the Victorians, as old fuddy-duddies who are stuck in the past and with no interest in new stuff. Well, that’s just plain wrong when it comes to Victorian photographer John Thomson. Find out why below… John Thomson was one of the early adopters of photography in the mid 19th century, learning everything he could in order to turn professional. He was also fascinated by ...
Read More
Elephant in Siam - John Thomson Exhbiition Brunei Gallery London

John Thomson Talk at The Royal Geographical Society ¦ Event on 30 April

Interested in Old China and Siam? Want to learn more about John Thomson, the legendary travel photographer of the Victorian era? Come to this public talk at the Royal Geographical Society - free to RGS members and students and only a fiver for everyone else. The talk is part of a range of events throughout the spring and early summer of 2018, arranged in connection with the exhibition China and ...
Read More
katriana hazell on the john thomson exhibit6ion

John Thomson and Street Photography in 1860s China – Katriana Hazell

Independent curator Katriana Hazell tallks to Yang-May Ooi on the John Thomson Exhibition Blog about John Thomson's street photography in 1860s China - and why this new London exhibition of the legendary photographers work is so special. Katriana has curated exhibitions across the world on diverse subjects ranging from tapestry to masks and the symbolism of the tiger. She has also produced performances at the Royal Festival Hall and Wigmore ...
Read More

Behind the Scenes at the John Thomson Exhibition [recorded on Facebook Live]

We were live at the Brunei Gallery as the exhibition team worked to install the photos ready for the opening next week. Videoblogger Yang-May Ooi talks to Narisa Chakrabongse and Paisarn Piammattawat about Thomson's photos of Siam and chat to Betty Yao about the layout of the China section of the exhibition. Come to the John Thomson Exhibition We hope to see you at the exhibition! The details are below: ...
Read More
Sir Terry Farrell on John Thomson

A World Class Record of a Lost World ¦ Sir Terry Farrell on John Thomson’s Photos of Old China

Sir Terry Farrell, internationally renowned architect and urban designer, talks to us about what draws him to John Thomson’s photographs. John Thomson’s photographic exploration of China in the 1860s featured not only portraits of people but also striking images of the landscape and architecture of China. Sir Terry Farrell is an architect and urban designer who has created major iconic buildings in both the UK and China. He has been ...
Read More
chao praya panorama - by John Thomson

John Thomson: A Pioneer of Travel Photography ¦ Talk at the Royal Photographic Society

If you’re interested in travel photography, this talk about one of the pioneers of the artform, John Thomson, is right up your street. It’s at the Royal Photographic Society in London and only £5. Find out more below Learn about a  Pioneer The first London exhibition of John Thomson’s photography provides an opportunity to look at his working practices from wet collodion to dry plate. He was one of the ...
Read More
Lupt Utama (L) speaking with Yang-May Ooi (R) - John Thomson Exhibition Video Blog

What photographs tell us about kings, lifestyle and politics – Lupt Utama on John Thomson [video]

We are thrilled to introduce Lupt Utama, an independent scholar and Emmy nominated costume designer, who is passionate about the photographs of John Thomson. In this video interview, he shares his expertise as he talks us through Thomson's famous portrait of His Majesty King Mongkut of Siam, taken in the 1860s. Independent scholar and Emmy nominated costume designer, Lupt Utama, speaks with multimedia blogger Yang-May Ooi about The History of ...
Read More