Che Guevara

Che Guevara: Revolutionary and Icon

7 June - 28 August 2006

The famous portrait of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, Guerrillero Heroico, photographed by Alberto Korda on 5 March 1960, is one of the most reproduced images in the history of photography. Che Guevara: Revolutionary and Icon will focus on the history of this single image during the past 45 years, bringing together photography, posters, films, fine art, clothing and artefacts from more than 30 countries - from Madonna's album American Life and Jean-Paul Gaultier's sunglasses campaign to Vik Muniz's Che Frijol and Ricky Gervais's Politics dvd.

The popular view of Guevara as young, handsome and charismatic, the revolutionary who died aged 39, inevitably contributes to the mystique surrounding Korda's iconic photograph which captures his enigmatic gaze, an expression of both determination and desire. This image of 'Che' has come to symbolise anti-establishment thought and action as well as consumer chic. It has inspired art, fashion and culture for the past five decades and is recognisable in its most simplified form.

The exhibition, curated by Trisha Ziff, traces the photograph from its conception to its contemporary appearances; from heroic guerrilla leader and anti-establishment hero through to pop celebrity, radical chic, spoof and kitsch. Korda's Che has moved into the world of caricature and parody at the same time as it is used as political commentary on issues such as world trade, anti-Americanism and Latin American identity.

The wide variety of works on show include art works by Pedro Meyer, Martin Parr and Annie Liebowitz; Larry Towell's photograph of the image grafitti'd on a wall in Bethlehem; films, including clips of The Motorcycle Diaries; and other paraphernalia such as Russian matryoshka dolls, French wine, model cars, cigarette packets and stamps. Also on display will be artworks specific to the UK, such as images of Margaret Thatcher and a recent Christmas advertising campaign depicting the baby Jesus.

The portrait was taken on 5 March 1960 by Alberto Dмaz Guttiиrez (1928-2001), known as Alberto Korda, a former fashion photographer who had become Fidel Castro's personal photographer. Korda snapped two frames of Guevara as he briefly stepped forward onto the memorial service podium at a funeral for more than 100 Cubans killed during an explosion of an ammunition-filled, Belgian ship bound for Havana harbour. The photographer remembered being inspired by the intensity of Guevara's expression, which he described as being encabronado y dolente (angry and pained). In the original frame, Guevara stands between another man and some palm fronds, but in the process of printing the photo Korda isolated Guevara - and thus was born the famous image.

What happened to the photograph from the moment it was taken, through to its current life as one of the most recognized images in popular culture, is a complex tale of conflicting accounts. Generally unknown until it was reproduced in Italy at the moment of Guevara's death, the image subsequently burst onto the worldwide scene as an icon symbolizing