Gustav Metzger
(1926-2017), Artist and political activistSitter in 17 portraits
Born in Nuremberg, Metzger came to Britain with his brother in 1939 under the auspices of the Refugee Children's Movement. His first solo exhibition of paintings on galvanised steel, was held at Brian Robins's coffee shop, The Farm, in 1959. From 1960 he was a member of the Committee of 100 and Ida Kar photographed him making anti-nuclear protest pieces by applying acid to sheets of nylon. The following year Kar recorded Metzger walking through London with a bag of rubbish, as part of the first public demonstration of auto-destructive art.
Gustav Metzger at his first lecture demonstration at the Temple Gallery
possibly by John Cox, for Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, June 1960
NPG x134795
Gustav Metzger practicing for a public demonstration of Auto-destructive art using acid on nylon
possibly by John Cox, for Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1960
NPG x134796
Gustav Metzger practicing for a public demonstration of Auto-destructive art using acid on nylon
possibly by John Cox, for Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1960
NPG x134797
Gustav Metzger practicing for a public demonstration of Auto-destructive art using acid on nylon
possibly by John Cox, for Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1960
NPG x134798
Gustav Metzger practicing for a public demonstration of Auto-destructive art
possibly by John Cox, for Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1960
NPG x134799
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1960
NPG x199029
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1960
NPG x199030
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1960
NPG x199031
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1960
NPG x199032
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1960
NPG x199033
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1960
NPG x199034
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, October 1962
NPG x131615
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, October 1962
NPG x134995
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, October 1962
NPG x134996
Robert Filliou; Gustav Metzger
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, October 1962
NPG x135112
Paul Keeler; Sérgio de Camargo; Guy Brett; Christopher Walker; David Medalla; Gustav Metzger
by Clay Perry
bromide print, 1964
NPG x199156
by Ida Kar
modern bromide print from original negative, October 1962
NPG x135082
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