James Hyman Email and Phone Number

Dr. James Hyman received his doctorate from the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London, London, and is a leading authority on modern and contemporary British art, especially post 1945. He is an expert on the artists of the "School of London" and on photography, particularly in Britain. His PhD thesis and book, "The Battle for Realism. Figurative Art in the Cold War (1945-60)" (Yale University Press/Paul Mellon Center, 2001), was shortlisted for the W. B. Berger Prize for studies in British Art History and remains one of the most important studies of 20th century art in Britain. In a thirty-five year career as an art historian, James has curated over 300 exhibitions, taught widely (Courtauld Institute, Christie’s Education, LCC, Imperial College London, University for the Creative Arts) and has published extensively.

Past and/or present activities include:Supporter of the Media Space at the Science MuseumSponsor and Judge of the National Media Museum's Bursary Awards for young photographers. Honorary Life Member, Ben Uri Gallery and Museum Patron of the Photographers’ GalleryLaunched the online educational resource www.britishphotography.org (2015) Donated portfolio of 34 prints by Alan Davie to the British Museum, London Donated 125 British photographs to the collection of the Yale Centre for British Art, New Haven, USA. (2018)Donated 100 British photographs to the collection of the Bodleian Library in Oxford, England. (2019)Donated all works to fundraiser for the NHS, one of the earliest pandemic fundraisers. (2020)Founded a new charity, The Hyman Foundation, to support photography in Britain in all its diversity. (2020)Founded and seed-funded the new 8,000 square foot public space, The Centre for British Photography (registered charity number 1190955). Based in central London, six exhibition spaces, a programme of public events, an archive and research centre and a photography sales gallery. (2022- )Donated 110 British photographs to the Centre for British Photography for sale to raise funds for the charity (2023)

Present and past boards and advisory groups:Trustee, Kraszna-Krausz Foundation (2017- )Trustee, Centre for British Photography (2020- )Treasurer, International Association of Art Critics (AICA, British Section).Executive Committee, The Society of London Art Dealers (SLAD). Executive Board, Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD, USA) Chair of Membership Committee, Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD, USA) Advisory Board, British Art Fair Advisory Board, London Art FairAdvisory Board, Photo London, at Somerset House.

Founding Director of the Centre for British Photography (registered charity number 1190955). The charity supports photography in Britain through grants, sponsorship, exhibitions and events. A charitable initiative, seed funded by James Hyman, it aims to provide a dedicated home for photography in Britain in all its diversity. The charity hosts its own exhibitions and stages those curated independently by outside curators and institutional partners. It has a touring exhibition programme, and is developing its online presence through exhibitions and events. It also has a grants programme to support artists working in photography and stages extremely popular open call competitions. Its exhibitions, grant applications and open calls are free of charge. The charity seeks to provide a platform for a range of voices in order to present an expansive overview of the diversity of photography in Britain past and present. Following the success of its temporary home in Jermyn Street in central London, it is presently fundraising to secure a permanent home.

Founder and Trustee of The Centre for British Photography (Charity Commission No. 1190955). The charity aims to promote and support photography in Britain in all its diversity. The charity intends to facilitate the work of contemporary artists, fund research and scholarship, and address issues of legacy and the preservation of archives. For information about supporting the charity please contact james@britishphotography.org

James Hyman is the Owner and Director of James Hyman Gallery. The gallery specialises in modern and contemporary British paintings, drawings and sculpture and also holds an inventory of important nineteenth century and early twentieth century vintage photographs. Our clients include international museums, public institutions and private collectors.

The Hyman Collection is the private collection of Claire and James Hyman. It began in 1996 and consists of over three thousand artworks, from across the world, in all media, especially photography. It ranges from Anya Gallaccio's most famous work, Red on Green, a floor of ten thousand fragrant English tea roses laid on a bed of their stalks to original life-size Spitting Image puppets of Margaret Thatcher and her government ministers. It is best known for its photography collections that include one of the the most important collections of vintage Bill Brandt and one of the major collections of Jo Spence. In the last 15 years the collection has focused on contemporary photography (eg acquiring several works by Zanele Muholi in 2010) and has sought to support and promote photographers in Britain through acquisition, commissions, loans and philanthropy. The collection celebrates the diversity of photography in Britain and ranges from documentary to conceptual photography, and from historic to contemporary photographs. 2015 Creation and launch of www.hymancollection.org as an educational resource on British photography based on photographs in the collection.2018 Donates 125 photographs to the Yale Center for British Art, USA2018-19 Hepworth Wakefield stages Modern Nature. Photographs from the Hyman Collection.2019 Donates 100 photographs to the Bodleian Library in Oxford, UK.2019 Commissions Heather Agyepong’s new series Wish You Were Here.2020-21 Two major exhibitions of works from the collection held at the Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol: A Picture of Health: Women Photographers from the Hyman Collection. Jo Spence. From Fairy Tales to Photo Therapy.2023 Centre for British Photography stages The English at Home. Photographs from the Hyman Collection.2023 Photo London presents Writing Her Own Script. Women Photographers from The Hyman Collection2023 Donates 110 photographs to the Centre for British Photography to raise funds for the charity.

Teaching Fellow, Centre for Languages, Culture and Communications, ImperialCollege London

Associate Lecturer / PhD supervision. Facilitating student learning and teaching and learning activities in a variety of learning environments (physical and/virtual).Providing appropriate advice and/or support to students to promote effective learning.Monitoring the progress and achievement of studentsProviding summative and formal assessment and feedback to studentsSupporting the recruitment and admission of students

Supporting excellence in publications about photography and the moving imageSince their inception in 1985 the Kraszna-Krausz Book Awards have been the UK’s leading prizes for books on photography and the moving image. Winning books are those which make original and lasting educational, professional, historical and cultural contributions to the field. With prize money of £10,000 divided equally between the winning title in the Photography category and the winning title in the Moving Image category, the Awards celebrate excellence in photography and moving image publishing.