Alex Proud

Director

Proud Galleries Ltd

Alexander Proud founded Proud Galleries after an early career that witnessed incarnations as: an antiques dealer; an oriental gallery owner (opened Proud Oriental in 1994 at 24); a car salesman (selling bullet proof Rolls Royce cars to the Russian mafia in 1995); and an internet pioneer (setting up the one of the first internet auctions in the world in 1996).

He established Proud Galleries in 1998, and a host of acclaimed shows such as Destroy – the Sex Pistols, The Rock ‘n Roll Years (with the National Portrait Galleries) and Rebel Life – Bob Marley launched the reputation of Proud Galleries on an international level.

Alex is a leading commentator on photographic and media issues, sitting on the panels of various photographic bodies including the Nikon Press Awards and Observer Hodge Awards.

2001 saw the launch of Proud Camden Moss, where groundbreaking shows including Hip Hop Immortals and The Libertines achieved headline coverage and attracted over 2,000 paying visitors every week. The current galleries now welcome an average of 10,000 visitors per show.

In 2005 Sony Ericsson signed a six figure deal with Proud Galleries to become title sponsor on all major shows, enabling both galleries to be opened to the public for free. In June 2005, the Camden gallery relocated to Stables Market, Camden Lock and is currently the largest private photographic gallery in the UK.

Further launches are planned in Brighton, New York, Paris and Tokyo over the next 24 months.