Getty brings new focus to Canary Wharf

The international photographic agency, which has its main gallery in Eastcastle Street, central London, decided to head east to give a sample offering to Canary Wharf art lovers.

Director Louise Garczewska said: "It started off with a bit of a chat with Camille Waxer [Canary Wharf Group head of retail]. We thought it would be a great idea to be in Canary Wharf.

"I love the area, the architecture, everything. We did the whole tour and this seemed to set out what we wanted."

Talks began at the beginning of this year and the central location of Cabot Place East made it an ideal choice.

Louise said: "We decided on this fabulous space that's simple and really shows off all of the collections.

"This gallery has a clean, contemporary fitting in line with brand Canary Wharf and it illustrates the best of Getty Images."

After discussions between the team of researchers at Getty it was decided to link the first exhibition with an event at Canary Wharf.

They decided upon combining it with the Motorexpo.

The inaugural show, which finishes next week, contains a number of hand-picked colour and black and white photos aimed at illustrating the history of motor cars.

It includes photos of Hollywood stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe captured with cars.

There are also shots of racing legends such as Jackie Stewart and Juan Manuel Fangio.

This will be followed by a two month exhibition called London Through A Lens, which Louise described as "the whole history of London but the real London, not the touristy London".

She said: "It's about the guys eating jellied eels in Borough Market, and it's about polo at Hurlingham and the balloons in the 19th Century."

The gallery is free to enter and visitors can buy photos.

Louise said: "Clients will come in asking for their own specifications.

"One man came in asking for a present for his anniversary. He got married in Central Park in New York so wanted something specific.

"People want something unique. We can sell off the wall but mostly it's made to order."

Orders take two weeks and come from the Westbourne Park archive centre, which holds tens of millions of photos dating back to the 1800s.

There is a team of experts put together the print and bespoke frames.

Prices range from £65 up to the likes of the Kings Of Hollywood photo which retails at £10,000.

As well as selling prints, another reason for bringing the gallery to Canary Wharf was to raise the company's profile in the area.

A key service it provides is interior design of office space and hotels.
Some people have some very particular requests.

Louise said: "For a private home someone once asked us for eight photos of people in the rain walking away. The strength of our collection is huge and we found them.

"We also do corporate areas. We recently did designs for a very large hotel. Every single room has a different look and feel."

With 300 photographers currently working for Getty the business is huge.

And Louise has no worries about launching during an economic downturn.

She said: "These are tough times but people want a beautiful image in their homes. The uniqueness and the originality make it worth it."

Go to gettyimagesgallery.com.