MARK NEVILLE: CHILD'S PLAY [2016] - SIGNED

The Foundling Museum [London, 2016]. Hardcover, 110pp. 24.5 x 28 cm.

A limited first edition [700 copies only] inscribed and signed by Mark Neville. Published in conjunction with the exhibition at the Foundling Museum, London, 3 February - 30 April 2017, and the symposium, Space to Play, on 20 March 2017.

Neville, who works at the intersection of art and documentary, presents images of children at play from existing projects, alongside new photographs taken in diverse environments around the world. Immersing himself in communities from Port Glasgow to North London, and in the war zones of Afghanistan and Ukraine, the artist has captured beautiful moments of free, spontaneous play. His images challenge the romantic ideal of play by confronting it with the reality of children’s lives, which is often harsher and more complex. Through his photographs the artist captures children’s spontaneous urge to play and their determination to do so in the most unfavourable environments, revealing how through play children claim a place of power, safety and freedom.

The project aimed to generate debate around the complex nature of children’s play and to advocate for improved provision for this universal right, as identified by the UN in the 2013 General Comment on Article 31 (the Convention on the Rights of the Child). At a time when up to 13 million children have been internally displaced as a result of armed conflict, and traditional public space is being privatised, Child’s Play reinforces our responsibility to ensure that children the world over have full opportunity for play and recreation.

The photographs are accompanied by Adrian Voce’s text overview of his ground-breaking work in the field of children’s play, plus an essay by curator Nicola Freeman.

Large format hardback with printed paper-covered boards and purple endpapers. First edition, first printing. Scarce.

Very good condition: Unread copy, internally pristine - clean, crisp and tightly bound. No highlighting or annotations. Some surface wear to boards, including slight rubbing, bumping and a couple of blemishes.