“Endure” showcases unconventional athletic photography for Chinese Olympians by Anderson & Low

TEXT:Sue Wang    DATE: 2012.6.7

Title Page of Endure

For the first time ever, Beijing opens its elite gymnastics training facility to the press, Anderson & Low, the only artists to be allowed such access, have responded and the results are stunning with this project these renowned artists truly deliver. To celebrate the spirit of that much-anticipated global sporting event, the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Serindia Gallery is staging "Endure", a collection of outstanding photographs that capture the beauty of the athletic movement and the essence of sportsmanship by famed duo Jonathan Anderson and Edwin Low, simply known as Anderson & Low.

“Endure” is their latest exhibition of unconventional athletic photography, the genre in which the pair have built their reputations for 22 years. Each photograph takes the audience to visit an elite gymnastics training facility in Beijing, China. The result is a groundbreaking collection that captures an honest representation of athleticism, and explores the tension of the human body and the ideal sportsman or woman. The art of their photography renders the idealism and quest for perfection in sports by the devoted Chinese athletes in graphic, intimate and touching detail and candor. Anderson & Low's works explore the tension between the real and the ideal of the body, between the actual and the artificial. The truth is told in every image of this body of work, and the viewer is held in awe.

Poster of "Endure"

Also, "Endure" is the latest work by Anderson & Low, whose photographic oeuvres on the subject of sports and athletes are recognized worldwide. With over fifteen years of outstanding art projects based around sport on the record, their works were included in the 2011 Venice Biennale and are in museums worldwide and numerous private collections. Anderson & Low are official artists for the 2012 London Cultural Olympiad Festival: for an exhibition opening July 19, the National Portrait Gallery commissioned them to depict the dreams and aspirations of athletes and support staff associated with this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Sports imply the intrinsic idea of the body. Systematic programmes of weights, twists, bends, leaps and poses transform their bodies into Classical art. Anderson & Low’s works explore the tension between the real and the ideal of the body, between the actual and the artificial. The truth is told in every image of this body of work, and the viewer is held in awe. Serindia Gallery, Thailand presents the premiere exhibition of Anderson & Low’s ENDURE from 22 May to 19 August 2012.

Related interview: Famed photographers Anderson & Low speak of their enduring passion for truth and the joy of working with Chinese Olympians

Courtesy artists and Serindia Gallery, for further information please visit www.serindiagallery.com.