Magnum's Odyssey Print Sale: A Visual Journey Through Memory and Migration
Magnum Photos, the legendary photographic co-operative, has partnered with The Photographers' Gallery in London for a special square print sale titled Odyssey. Running until Sunday 29 March 2026, this exclusive event features prints from more than 100 Magnum photographers, including iconic names such as Eve Arnold, Alec Soth, and Chris Killip. The collection traces the diverse paths we take through memory, across borders, and into the unknown, offering a profound exploration of both physical and emotional journeys.
Exploring Global Narratives Through Photography
The Odyssey sale presents images that span decades and continents, revealing how individual stories can mirror larger societal shifts. From epic migrations to quiet moments of personal reckoning, these photographs capture the essence of human experience. For instance, Alec Soth's Fairway Motor Inn from his Niagara series chronicles offbeat moments in American life, while Bieke Depoorter's Lowell Observatory image contemplates the sky as a shared memory, with stars representing light from millions of years ago.
Highlights from the Collection
- Eve Arnold's Marilyn Monroe: This iconic 1955 portrait shows the actress reading James Joyce's Ulysses, highlighting Arnold's celebrated work as the first woman to join Magnum.
- Chris Killip's Boo on a Horse: Captured in Lynemouth, Northumberland in 1984, this image reflects Killip's immersion in communities undergoing economic shifts in postwar Britain.
- Ernest Cole's Train Surfers: A powerful depiction from 1960s South Africa, exploring themes of poverty and resistance during apartheid.
- Sakir Khader's Palestinian Scene: Taken in Silat al-Harithiya in 2023, this photograph documents life and defiance in occupied territories.
Themes of Memory and Movement
Many photographers in the sale delve into personal and collective memories. Bruno Barbey's image of pilgrims bathing in Pushkar, India, from 1975, captures religious devotion, while Herbert List's 1936 kitten photograph symbolises his flight from Nazi Germany as a homosexual man of Jewish heritage. The sale also includes works addressing contemporary issues, such as Cristina de Middel's series on migrant journeys through Central America, shortlisted for the 2025 Deutsche Börse prize.
A Celebration of Photographic Diversity
The Odyssey print sale showcases Magnum's rich legacy, from Cornell Capa's peaceful portraits to Martin Parr's humorous queue scene in Cornwall. Each print tells a unique story, whether it's Yael Martínez's handcrafted chapulin knife in Mexico or Sabiha Çimen's ballet school in wartime Ukraine. This event not only offers art enthusiasts a chance to own a piece of photographic history but also underscores the power of images to connect us across time and space.
