96 Gillespie & Rough Trade present Silent Pictures by Pat Graham
09/01/2008
RELATED PRODUCTS
Pat Graham - Silent Pictures (signed copies)
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On exhibition are a large collection of photographs taken from the book, both black and white & colour. Hand printed and hand toned by Graham, the photographs are tangibly beautiful objects, a testament to his skill in the darkroom.
LEGENDARY UNDERGROUND MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHER PAT GRAHAM CAPTURES THE SPIRIT OF
INDEPENDENCE
Fugazi. Bikini Kill. Modest Mouse. These groundbreaking bands and their peers not only shaped the face of today's underground music scene, but also established a thriving subculture based on do-it-yourself ideals while repudiating mainstream conventions with urgency and integrity. Here, in acclaimed photographer Pat Graham's debut Collection of work, the moments, the music, and the message all come alive with vivid intensity and searing honesty, as he documents the evolution of independent music history from his vantage point at the heart of the Washington, DC scene over the last two decades. This retrospective traces Pat Graham's development as a photographer, while reflecting a deep appreciation of the scene he helped to create - and has now memorialized.
Like the bands he captures on film, Graham thrives because of his
uncompromising aesthetic. Many of the images presented here have taken on
iconic status over the years, proving that the energy of live shows
resonates beyond the walls of the nightclub. Indeed, Graham's inimitable
style is partly a consequence of the countless times he has accompanied
groups like Modest Mouse and The Make-Up on tour across the world; these
photographs convey the power of legendary performers like The Jesus Lizard
and the late Elliott Smith in unscripted spontaneity onstage, while more
intimate portraits provide candid glimpses of life on the road,
behind-the-scenes peeks backstage, and shots of euphoric audiences
participating in similar scenes of community collaboration across the
country.
Taken as a collection, Silent Pictures shows that the spirit of the
underground transcends the music to express an attitude, culture, and way
of life that is sincere and authentic--one that underscores the links that
bind groups as sonically diverse as 'OutKast', 'Thievery Corporation',
'Les Savy Fav', and 'The Shins'.
Born in 1970, Graham studied photography at the University of Wisconsin
before relocating to Washington DC in 1991. He moved to London in 2002 and
lives and works in Islington. He co-founded 96 Gillespie, a small vital
contemporary art gallery in Highbury dedicated to encouraging & supporting
a dialogue between US & UK artists and to being a significant venue in the
UK for American artists.
Recent exhibitions include showings at San Francisco's Needles & Pens
Gallery, Philadephia's Space 1026, Washington DC's Transformer Gallery,
Antwerp's Cultuur Cenrum Luchtbal, and London's ICA. His work forms part
of the permanent collections of the Arlington Municipal Arts, (Arlington,
Virginia) as well as the Experience Music Project, (Seattle, Washington)
and is held in private collections around the world.
This event will also launch the 96 Gillespie club ART at Rough Trade East.
Featuring some of independent music's finest artists: Daniel Higgs, Tim
Kerr, and Tara Jane O'Neil as well as Rich Jacob's, Melanie Standage and
Kristen Cutlip.
RELATED PRODUCTS
Pat Graham - Silent Pictures (signed copies)
[tell me more]