The Miles Aldridge’s retrospective, I Only Want You To Love Me, launched yesterday at Somerset House.
And it’s Aldridge in his most saturated form. From the technicolour palette, juxtaposition of the mundane with the hyper-glamorous to his portrayal of women. His images showcase a truly bittersweet vision of the world, the pain of normality – and the uncategorised vanity that most people experience, even subconsciously.
Rather than alluding to an unrequited romance – Aldridge instead refers to the human tendency to buy unnecessary commodities – clothes, high-luxury products to make people love us more. He has the intention of providing the public with something they can see themselves in.
“The world is a strange and troubling place and we live in the middle of it,” Aldridge was quoted saying – and it is a relief for many to know that others feel the same cynicism that you do.
I Only Want You To Love Me on now until 29th September at Somerset House SomersetHouse.org.uk