Brutalism in Colour

London Festival of Architecture 2024 exhibition
Brutalism in Colour: Photographs by Christopher Hope-Fitch

07 June–16 June 2024 and by appointment
Private View: 06 June, 6pm–9pm

Gareth Gardner Gallery
Enclave, 50 Resolution Way, 
Deptford SE8 4AL

Photographer Christopher Hope-Fitch presents his spectacular long-term project ‘Brutalism in Colour’ as part of this year’s London Festival of Architecture.

His vibrant photographs reveal the multitude of textures, geometries and hidden colours within brutalist architecture, encouraging viewers to revisit buildings they may have overlooked as bleak, grey and uninteresting.

The exhibition presents a selection of vivid images from over 100 locations, captured by Hope-Fitch during the last seven years. At first glance they may be mistaken for thermal images, but they are actually long-exposure night-time digital photographs. Bold colour variations come from different light sources and surfaces, amplified in post-production.

Brutalist buildings both iconic and lesser-known will be included – including the demolished Welbeck Street Car Park in London, by Michael Blampied and Partners, Coventry's disused Elephant Building sports centre and the threatened Museum of London building by Powell & Moya.

The long-term project is a reaction to Hope-Fitch's past experience as a professional monochrome hand printer. His project is influenced by the supersaturated work of Italian Giallo movie directors such as Mario Bava and Dario Argento.



The exhibition will be accompanied by the launch of a limited-edition book featuring a wide selection from the series Brutalism in Colour. Fine art edition prints will also be available to purchase from the gallery and online. Graphics, publication design and branding for the show have been designed by Tim George.



London-based Christopher Hope-Fitch began his career as a professional darkroom hand-printer working initially in monochrome and then colour. For the last decade has worked as a freelance photographer. His personal photography projects are strongly influenced by his traditional training and strong interest in architecture.