Lisetta Carmi: Identities, at Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art

For those looking for an exhibition full of heart and spirit, head to Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, a stone’s throw from Angel, Islington. Italian photographer Lisetta Carmi (1924-2022), whose body of work is currently being shown, is perhaps a lesser-known artist here in London, though through these photographs will undoubtably capture the hearts of all who gaze through her lens.

 Lisetta Carmi: Identities, is a chronicle of photographs featuring subjects sensitively captured by a person who had an interest in their lives. At first glance these identities appear quotidian; normal people going about their day-to-day lives, grouped together as a collection of artistic snapshots, but look deeper, and you are transported into a world of class division, authoritarian tradition, and social marginalisation.

This exhibition is a sensitive, a cacophony of silent voices who trusted Carmi to tell their stories, and in return, helped her ‘to accept myself for what I am: a person who does not live according to a role.’

 Yes, these photographs are beautiful, but each tells a story and champions the overlooked, those who didn’t occupy a ‘socially-accepted-role’. The camalli (labourers), who were on the frontline of mass production in harsh working conditions, and those who had no voice of their own. This exhibition is a sensitive, a cacophony of silent voices who trusted Carmi to tell their stories, and in return, helped her ‘to accept myself for what I am: a person who does not live according to a role.’

 Curated by Roberto Lacarbonara and Giovanni Battista Martini the exhibition is split into two galleries. Carmi’s work explores her interest in street photography, documenting the human experience in locations as diverse and turbulent as Venezuela, Northern Ireland, Israel and, of course, Italy. The exhibition celebrates the photographer’s unique exploration on the theme of labour, specifically highlighting her native Genoa and those who were on the frontline.

Perhaps the most striking and personal element of this exhibition is, I travestiti (1965-72), a collection of photographs of Genoa’s trans community. These images, both beautiful and incredibly personal, give testament to Carmi’s characteristically objective way of respecting communities without judgement, which gained her entry within a marginalised, secret community. There is a sense of trust and camaraderie established between photographer and subject, that oftentimes goes deep, and gives you a sense of their relationship.  Above all, these photographs teach us much about people, showing there is so much more in common between us than there is difference.

The show runs from 20 September – 17 December.

Go see this exhibition! Now.