Exposed - Voyeurism, surveillance and the camera

Tate Modern's current exhibition offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of voyeurism and surveillance.

With photographs dating back to the late-19th Century, 'Exposed' offers a fascinating look at pictures made without the explicit permission of the people depicted. With photographs from the late nineteenth century to present day, the images present a shocking, illuminating and witty perspective on famous people and taboo subjects.

Beginning with the idea of the 'unseen photographer', 'Exposed' presents 250 works by celebrated artists and photographers including Brassaï's erotic Secret Paris of the 1930s images; Weegee's iconic photograph of Marilyn Monroe; and Nick Ut's reportage image of children escaping napalm attacks in the Vietnam War. Sex and celebrity is an important part of the exhibition, presenting photographs of Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, Paris Hilton on her way to prison and the assassination of John F Kennedy. Other renowned photographers represented in the show include Guy Bourdin, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Philip Lorca DiCorcia, Walker Evans, Robert Frank, Nan Goldin, Lee Miller, Helmut Newton and Man Ray.

Much of 'Exposed' focuses on surveillance, including works by both amateur and press photographers, and images produced using automatic technology such as CCTV. The issues raised are particularly relevant, with debates raging on the rights of individuals and the increasing use of surveillance. 'Exposed' confronts these issues and their implications head-on.

Exposed: Voyeurism, Surveillance and the Camera can be seen at the Tate Modern in London from today until 3 October 2010.