Renowned war photographer Don McCullin's latest exhibition, Broken Beauty, now on display at the Holburne Museum in Bath, offers a poignant glimpse into his oeuvre spanning over six decades. The show begins with a series of haunting images of ruined Roman sculptures, their shattered stone heads and severed limbs serving as a grim reminder of the devastating impact of conflict and time.
McCullin's photographs, however, are more than just mere representations of destruction – they also hold a profound beauty, one that is born from the depths of human suffering. As we gaze upon his images of ravaged landscapes, decaying idols, and shattered forms, it becomes impossible not to ponder the psychological toll these experiences must have taken on the photographer himself.
Despite his own personal journey of recovery, McCullin continues to pour his soul into his work, capturing the desolation that lies at the heart of human existence. The photographs showcasing young men in the midst of war – their faces etched with grief, their eyes haunted by trauma – evoke a sense of empathy and understanding that is both profound and humbling.
The images also highlight McCullin's unique ability to find beauty in the bleakest of places. His portraits of homeless individuals, industrial landscapes, and still lifes in his garden shed serve as a testament to the power of art to transcend even the darkest of circumstances.
What struck me most about this exhibition was the sense of urgency that pervades McCullin's work, a sense of immediacy that is almost impossible to capture through written words. These photographs are not simply snapshots of the past; they are visceral reminders of the human cost of conflict and the enduring power of art to convey our deepest emotions.
As I gazed upon these images, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at McCullin's unwavering dedication to his craft, even in the face of unimaginable horror. His photographs are a testament to the boundless potential of human creativity and the enduring power of art to convey our deepest emotions – even in the darkest of times.
McCullin's photographs, however, are more than just mere representations of destruction – they also hold a profound beauty, one that is born from the depths of human suffering. As we gaze upon his images of ravaged landscapes, decaying idols, and shattered forms, it becomes impossible not to ponder the psychological toll these experiences must have taken on the photographer himself.
Despite his own personal journey of recovery, McCullin continues to pour his soul into his work, capturing the desolation that lies at the heart of human existence. The photographs showcasing young men in the midst of war – their faces etched with grief, their eyes haunted by trauma – evoke a sense of empathy and understanding that is both profound and humbling.
The images also highlight McCullin's unique ability to find beauty in the bleakest of places. His portraits of homeless individuals, industrial landscapes, and still lifes in his garden shed serve as a testament to the power of art to transcend even the darkest of circumstances.
What struck me most about this exhibition was the sense of urgency that pervades McCullin's work, a sense of immediacy that is almost impossible to capture through written words. These photographs are not simply snapshots of the past; they are visceral reminders of the human cost of conflict and the enduring power of art to convey our deepest emotions.
As I gazed upon these images, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at McCullin's unwavering dedication to his craft, even in the face of unimaginable horror. His photographs are a testament to the boundless potential of human creativity and the enduring power of art to convey our deepest emotions – even in the darkest of times.
his photos are just so raw and emotional, it's like you can feel the weight of the world on your shoulders 
but at the same time, they're also super beautiful in a haunting way that just draws you in 
i love how he captures the desolation and despair, but also finds beauty in the bleakest places 
his portraits of homeless people and industrial landscapes are giving me all the feels 
i need to get myself to bath ASAP and check out this exhibition for myself 
anyone else going? 
. I mean, he's been through some stuff, and yet he still pours his soul into his work? That's some next-level dedication right there. We could all learn a thing or two from the man! 
don mccullin's photos are like a punch to the gut - they'll leave you breathless & speechless 
the way he captures the desolation & beauty in war-torn landscapes is just mind-blowing 
and these young men, their faces etched with grief... it's hard not to feel empathy & understanding 
his photos are a reminder that even in the darkest times, art can transcend & convey our deepest emotions 
I just left the Broken Beauty exhibition at the Holburne Museum and I'm still reeling from it 
The way he captures the desolation and trauma of war is just heartbreaking 
, but at the same time, there's this sense of hope and resilience that comes from his portraits of people struggling to survive 
It's like he's showing us that even in the darkest moments, there's still beauty to be found - and I think that's what makes his work so powerful 
. don't get me wrong, mccullin's got some amazing shots and all, but it feels like we're just seeing the same old tragic stories over and over again 
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. It's like you can feel their pain just looking at the photos. And his portraits of homeless people? Forget about it 
. But seriously, it just shows that art can be so powerful, even in the darkest of times 
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! The way he captures the raw emotion of war is just heart-wrenching 
. As an artist himself, it's inspiring to see someone with so much talent pouring their heart and soul into their work 
it's like you can feel the weight of history bearing down on you. mccullin's work is so raw and honest, it's like he's showing us his own scars instead of just taking our pictures. i love how he finds beauty in all this ugliness - it's like he's saying 'even in the darkest places, there's still a glimmer of hope'. and yeah, those portraits of homeless people? totally breaks my heart 
. his dedication to his craft is truly inspiring, and it makes you wonder what other stories are waiting to be told 
... it's like, art is a double-edged sword, you know? It can be this beautiful escape from reality, but also a reminder of all that's wrong with the world 
. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I don't know if McCullin's work is more uplifting or just prolonging the pain 
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The way he captures the decay and destruction is just haunting, but at the same time, it's like you can see the humanity in them. His portraits of homeless people, too - they're so raw and honest, it's like he's holding up a mirror to our society. And can we talk about how beautiful those still lifes are? 
I'm not even kidding, this exhibition is like a punch to the gut - in the best way possible. It makes you think about what matters most and why art is so important. 
just saw that global temperatures have reached an all-time high for the 5th consecutive year 
, with scientists warning us that we're on track to exceed the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target by 2026... meanwhile, Don McCullin's Broken Beauty exhibition is a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and environmental degradation 
I'm trying to appreciate the art here, not get my feels all messed up. And what's with all the focus on trauma? Can't we just enjoy the beauty of his photography without getting sucked into the negativity? Let's try to find a balance between acknowledging the harsh realities and appreciating the art for its own sake.
Like, those portraits of homeless people or industrial landscapes? Totally underrated imo. People always go for the flashy war pics, but McCullin shows us that there's so much more to photography than just combat 
... I mean, have you seen those portraits of homeless people? it's like they're speaking straight to your soul 
... anyway, if you haven't checked out the exhibition yet, do yourself a favor and get there ASAP 