Simon Terrill: Crowd Theory Survey Exhibition

Centre for Contemporary Photography (CCP) presents a major survey of the monumental Crowd Theory photographs by Melbourne-born, London-based artist Simon Terrill. The exhibition explores crowd dynamics and the relationship between urban architectural spaces and those who inhabit them.

Crowd Theory (2004–2018) is an ongoing series of photographic and performance-based events, where artist Simon Terrill engages with urban groups, inviting people to imagine their own idea of place. The first iteration of the work took place at Footscray Community Art Centre in 2004 and the most recent event was staged in Thamesmead, London. For each project, an invitation is made to anyone and everyone with an association to each site to come together for a single, yet collective photographic portrait. Participants are specified the time of the event—but choose how to represent themselves—creating socially charged spaces that reveal tensions between public and private identities, and complex politics surrounding urban habitation.

Each Crowd Theory work involves extensive collaboration, through the mobilisation of up to 300 people, as well as the coordination of lighting, soundtracks, smoke machines, catering and marshalling, creating a theatre-like atmosphere.

For the exhibition at CCP, Terrill will show the full suite of ten mural-sized photographs together for the first time, alongside a new sculptural work, a catalogue publication and a series of associated public programs and events.

This exhibition has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body; NETS Victoria’s Exhibitions Development Fund, supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria; and The Centre for the Study of the Networked Image, London South Bank University.