By Tabish Khan, art critic specialising in London’s art scene and he believes passionately in making art accessible to everyone. He visits and writes about hundreds of exhibitions a year covering everything from the major blockbusters to the emerging art scene. Tabish has been visual arts editor for Londonist since 2013. Contributions include reviews, previews, news, experiences and opinion pieces. He is also a regular contributor for FAD with a weekly top exhibitions to see, reviews and a column called ‘What’s wrong with art’. He also regularly reviews for Culture Whisper. Tabish is a trustee of ArtCan, a non-profit arts organisation that supports artists through profile raising activities and exhibitions. He is also a trustee of the prestigious City & Guilds London Art School and Discerning Eye, which hosts an annual exhibition featuring hundreds of works.
A spotlight slides across a woman staring back at us, her expression enigmatic and filled with unspoken stories. Only her left eye, dark red lips, and select details of her clothing and necklace are illuminated, while the rest of her remains swallowed by darkness. The interplay of light and shadow creates an undeniable sense of mystery and intrigue. Though we don’t know her name or her past, there is something unmistakably captivating about her presence. What has she endured? How long has she been gazing in our direction? Does she carry secrets, or is she searching for something beyond our reach? The ambiguity invites endless speculation, drawing us deeper into her world.
This use of light and shadow immediately caught my attention when I first encountered Tes Berge’s photography. It’s a technique artists have employed for centuries, ever since they recognised its power to create mood, depth, and storytelling. From the stark contrasts of Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro paintings to the evocative lighting used in modern photography, this approach remains a powerful visual language.
We see this again in Tes’s work – a young man standing near a window, his face partially obscured by a curtain of hair. One eye remains hidden while the other intensely looks upon us.
Considering Tes Berge’s work within the broader context of contemporary British portrait photography, her approach to light and shadow parallels well-known photographers.
Many prominent UK photographers work with dramatic lighting, like the high-impact portraiture associated with Rankin or the psychologically charged atmospheres found in Nadav Kander’s work. While these artists employ such techniques to sculpt form or enhance a fashion narrative, Berge directs this chiaroscuro towards the subject’s inner world.
Beyond these dramatic portraits, Tes Berge’s work also embraces contemporary fashion photography. Her images often feature models adorned in elaborate ensembles, striking, bold and expressive poses. Each photograph reveals her eye for composition, movement, and theatricality. Whether exploring shadows and mysteries or colour and style, Tes Berge creates memorable works.
