To mark the 30th anniversary of his debut and the 20th anniversary of his legacy, Proud Galleries presents the official Ayrton Senna exhibition, an exhilarating celebration of the man considered the world’s greatest racing driver.

Working in partnership with Sutton Images and the Ayrton Senna Institute, this collection of photographs, taken by Keith Sutton, chart Senna’s titanic career. From his beginnings in Formula Ford to his domination of Formula 1 for 10 years until his accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Keith Sutton is indisputably Formula 1’s best known photographer. His relationship with Senna began when the young Formula Ford driver approached Keith in 1981 enquiring if he was a professional photographer. “When I said I was, he said he needed photos of him racing sending to Brazil on a regular basis. On that day he won his first race and I got some great photos of him celebrating on the podium late in the evening”.

So began the working relationship and friendship that would see Keith photographing this prodigious Brazilian talent and handling all his public relations. “From the moment I first photographed him...I knew I was witnessing an incredibly charismatic and talented young racing driver who would one day go on to become one of Formula One’s legends.” As their friendship blossomed, Keith continued to photograph Senna throughout his career both on the racetrack and in more private moments, creating the largest archive of this intense and forceful personality.

Proud Galleries is honoured to present this stunning collection of photographs commemorating the life and incredible talent of a man who would touch the limit and go boldly beyond.

Keith Sutton started Motorsport photography as a keen amateur after picking up his Father’s Nikon camera at the age of 17 in 1977, attended local racing events and worked to become a full time professional in 1980 as Keith Sutton Motorsport Photography.

In 1985, with Keith an accomplished Formula One photographer, he joined forces with his brother Mark to set up an agency called Sutton Photographic. With Keith covering international events and Mark covering national events the company continued to work for many magazines around the world. Mark then joined Keith covering the international events and the company grew, employing 25 staff.

1996 saw the company re-branded as Sutton Motorsport Images and re-locating to larger premises, recognising that even though digital photography may have been in its infancy with all photographs still shot on film, the process of digitally scanning and transmitting shots electronically would shape the industries future.

Today, Sutton Images is long established as the world’s largest independent motorsport picture agency exclusively concentrating on every aspect of motorsport imagery. Their technologically advanced, in-house facilities provide the ability to capture, process and deliver images rapidly to their global customers. An archive of over four million transparencies and black and white negatives, with a searchable online digital archive of nearly one million images, spans the history of motorsport from 1960 through to the present day.

Proud Chelsey Gallery
161 King's Road, Chelsea
London SW3 5XP United Kingdom
Ph. +44 (0) 20 73490822
info@proudgalleries.co.uk
www.proud.co.uk

Opening hours
Monday - Sunday
From 10am to 7pm

Related images

  1. Keith Sutton, Race winner Ayrton Senna (BRA) West Surrey Racing Ralt RT383 Toyota on the grid. British Formula 3 Championship, Thruxton, England, 13 March 1983, © Keith Sutton / Courtesy of Sutton Images
  2. Keith Sutton, Pole sitter Ayrton Senna (BRA) Williams FW16, leads the field at the start of the race. Senna retired from the race after a spin. Brazilian Grand Prix, Rd1, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, © Keith Sutton / Courtesy of Sutton Images
  3. Keith Sutton, Ayrton Senna (BRA) West Surrey Racing Ralt-Toyota RT3/83, suffered an accident. British Formula Three Championship, Cadwell Park, England. 19 June 1983, © Keith Sutton / Courtesy of Sutton Images
  4. Keith Sutton, Ayrton Senna (BRA), McLaren. Spanish Grand Prix, Rd14, Jerez, Spain, 30 September 1990, © Keith Sutton / Courtesy of Sutton Images
  5. Keith Sutton, Race winner Ayrton Senna (BRA) West Surrey Racing Ralt Toyota RT383 on the grid. British Formula Three Championship, Silverstone, England, 20 March 1983, © Keith Sutton / Courtesy of Sutton Images
  6. Keith Sutton, Ayrton Senna (BRA) McLaren retired from the race on lap 53 with a broken transmission. British Grand Prix, Rd9, Silverstone, England, 12 July 1992, © Keith Sutton / Courtesy of Sutton Images