When all eyes are upon you

The daughter of a silent movie actress, Ruth Orkin grew up in Hollywood during its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s. Working as the first female messenger for MGM, she hoped to break into the industry as a cinematographer but, as women were not allowed to join the union, was barred from doing so.

In 1953, with her husband Morris Engel, she co-produced, edited and scripted the independent, award winning film The Little Fugitive - credited by Truffaut as starting the French New Wave.

But though Orkin's love of the movies remained, it is as a stills photographer that she is best known.

Her celebrity portraits of movie stars of the 1940s and 1950s have become defining images, as have her photographs of other leading figures, including Leonard Bernstein, Hitchcock and a wonderfully exuberant, grinning Einstein. Following her love of Cin?ma V?rit?, Orkin is also known for her street scenes of New York, Paris and Italy and it is An American Girl In Italy that remains her signature image.

Taken in 1951 to illustrate a Cosmopolitan feature urging its female readership not to be afraid of travelling alone, it shows an elegantly dressed young woman walking purposefully through a street while being followed by the curious eyes of a sea of men.

Despite acclaim in America and the rest of Europe, Orkin, who died in 1985, remains little known in this country and this first UK solo show of her work is a good opportunity to get acquainted with her important oeuvre.

Tomorrow until Feb 9, Tom Blau Gallery, 21 Queen Elizabeth Street, Butler's Wharf SE1, Tue to Fri 10am to 6pm, Sat noon to 5pm, free.

Tel: 020 7378 1300
www.tomblaugallery.com
Tube: Tower Hill/Bermondsey