Out of the Dark - The Lost Images
Basil Arthur Scott Clavering (1910-1973) is recognised as the most prominent British post-war photographer, who specialised in the development and production of a genre of photography centred on bodybuilders, the male uniform, and military discipline.

Clavering established Studio Royale followed by Hussar in Pimlico and Soho, London, which were used to promote his work commercially, albeit with a low public profile. Royale specialised in bodybuilders and physique imagery, and Hussar in military themes, with both studios producing photo-sets, which were advertised in specialist periodicals (this catalogue is provided in a similar style). Hussar developed the images into Sensational Playlets and Royale famous Storyettes, which were then sold through magazines by mail order.

John Charles Parkhurst (1927-2000) worked alongside Clavering in the production of the photographs from the early 1950s to the mid 1960s, continuing his photographic activities on a more informal basis through to the early 1990s. It was not only their technical prowess behind the camera and their mastery of lighting effects which make their images so significant, but also the social and political context surrounding the production and circulation of the images. Up to that point in time, no other commercial photographer had attempted to focus exclusively on this genre or produce images in such consistent volume.

The photographs were mainly produced in the basement of Clavering’s house in Chelsea, which he had converted into a well-equipped studio. The photographic images paid great attention to detail and stylisation, with Clavering and Parkhurst using authentic uniforms and props, representing Guardsmen, the Royal Horse Artillery, Royal Navy and Army. Clavering and Parkhurst’s work reflects in both imagery and subject matter the drawings of Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen, 1920-1991). Laaksonen met Clavering during a visit to London and Studio Hussar commissioned a series of 17 panel drawings from him entitled The Thieving Cowboy (1957).

No other photographers of the time were extracting so much visual drama from the clothed male figure. Other physique photographers were viewing the legal restrictions of the time as a challenge, whereas Royale and Hussar embraced them as an opportunity to produce magnificent risqué images.

Clavering and Parkhurst both served in the Navy, and their experience and connection to their subject matter is evident in the way clothing and partial undress was depicted, reflecting an insider’s comprehension and understanding. Many of the models were also active military personnel, who Clavering met in public houses close to Hyde Park and the Chelsea barracks. Consequently, the images are not simply of men dressing up in uniforms, but rather men fully aware of both the purpose and symbolism of the uniform.

The original images and photo-sets from Royale and Hussar Studios were produced in black and white, due to cost and the technical limitations of home photographic printing. The current exhibition images are displayed in colour, produced from Clavering and Parkhurst’s original colour transparencies captured over half a century ago.

Clavering bequeathed Parkhurst his photographic records and equipment in 1973, and following Parkhurst’s death in 2000, the collection was bestowed to friend Paul Cambridge. The images were carefully stored before being entrusted to Michael Carnes and Robert Lavis in Tasmania. A careful and meticulous restoration process began and has culminated in this exhibition.

This exhibition introduces a revolutionary force in 20th century male photography - the art of Basil Clavering and John Parkhurst, Royale and Hussar Studios. A unique collection of images thought lost, but now legitimately out of the dark.


Royale HUSSAR Exhibition Biography
Basil Arthur Scott Clavering (1910 - 1973) is recognised as the most prominent British post-war photographer, who specialised in the development and production of a genre of photography centred on bodybuilders, the male uniform, and military discipline. Clavering established Studio Royale followed by Hussar in Pimlico and Soho, London, which were used to promote his work commercially, albeit it with a low public profile. Royale specialised in bodybuilders and physique imagery, and Hussar in military themes, with both studios producing photo-sets, which were advertised in specialist periodicals. (The exhibition catalogue is provided in a similar style). Hussar developed the images into Sensational Playlets, which were then sold through magazines by mail order.

John Charles Parkhurst (1927 - 2000) worked alongside Clavering in the production of the photographs from the early 1950s to the mid 1960s, continuing his photographic activities on a more informal basis through to the early 1990s. It was not only their technical prowess behind the camera and their mastery of lighting effects which make their images so significant, but also the social and political context surrounding the production and circulation of the images. Up to that point in time, no other commercial photographer had attempted to focus exclusively on this genre or produce images in such consistent volume.

The images were carefully stored before being entrusted to Michael Carnes and Robert Lavis in Tasmania. A careful and meticulous restoration process began and has culminated in this exhibition.

This exhibition introduces a revolutionary force in 20th century male photography - the art of Basil Clavering and John Parkhurst, Royale and Hussar Studios. A unique collection of images thought lost, but now legitimately out of the dark.
Collections Leslie – Lohman Museum, New York, USA Tom Of Finland Foundation, Los Angeles USA