Flowers Gallery will present "Nadav Kander: After Dark," a solo exhibition showcasing three series of works by the renowned London-based photographer, artist, and director Nadav Kander, running from September 5 to October 11, 2025. Widely recognized for his large-format portraits and landscapes, Kander will present both familiar and previously unseen works from his series "Dark Line – The Thames Estuary" and "Colour Fields," along with two photographic prints from a new body of work titled "Treow (Trust and Promise)," being presented for the first time.
Kander's distinctive approach blurs the boundaries between documentation and introspection, treating photography as both an exploration of the world around us and a map of interior landscapes. His work invites viewers to pause between feeling and seeing, creating a space for contemplation and emotional connection.
In "Dark Line – The Thames Estuary," Kander turns his lens toward the dark, slow-moving waters of the Thames as it meets the sea. Drawn to this landscape for its vast horizons and multiple histories, he treats the river as a metaphor for perpetual cycles of ending and renewal. For Kander, the series represents more than simple photographs – it reflects the weight of London's past, with its waters bearing witness to countless generations who have traveled, fought, traded, loved, lived, and perished along its banks.
As the Thames reaches the estuary, it widens, softens, and slows down, almost exhausted by the weight of London's history it has carried. Traveling alone in darkness and returning at nightfall, Kander depicts the estuary not only as a geographical site but also as a mystical and supernatural realm. "Alone, I prefer to be at the edge of vast expanses of slow-moving water. I feel myself, calm and alive, while emotions come and go," Kander explains.
His selection process echoes this slower rhythm through long exposures, layering, and double exposures, invoking the slow rhythms of the river. Kander often explores the tension between revealing and concealing, drawn to the intrigue of what hides in mist and darkness.
Although the "Colour Fields" series takes its name from modernist abstract painting, its images resist total abstraction. Instead, it invites viewers into spaces that are both recognizable and strange. Kander presents views that cannot exist naturally, explaining, "No natural light could plunge a field into darkness; these are artificial views, illuminated by artificial light. Simple planes of color and texture are highlighted, considerably reducing any reference to nature." The result is a series of works that explore photography's expressive potential.
The exhibition also inaugurates a new series of Kander's photographic prints titled "Treow (Trust and Promise)" – an Old English word meaning not only "tree" but also "trust" and "promise." This series emerged during a period of uncertainty related to the pandemic. Photographing dormant trees in winter, a season Kander has long favored for its calm and reserved character, he represents them as patient, cyclical beings awaiting renewal.
Created through a meticulous photographic printing process, these prints restore a tactile quality to photography. For Kander, these century-old trees become meditative figures, inviting audiences to reflect on the evolution of our relationship with nature and consider new perspectives during uncertain times.
Regarding "Treow," Kander states, "We all know and feel that we are living through turbulent times. Major changes seem imminent. Anxiety is stronger than ever in all our societies. Whether it's the climate emergency, politics, or inequalities fueling this unease, it is both personal and collective. This period can also be perceived as full of potential, potential for a new path forward that is inclusive, less divisive, and a society that is less individualistic and money-driven."
The exhibition "Nadav Kander: After Dark" will run from September 5 to October 11, 2025, at Flowers Gallery, located at 21 Cork Street, London W1S 3LZ, United Kingdom.
