I have a friend, Ann, who is a VERY big David Bowie fan, and I can thank her for passing her passion for the legendary singer on to me today! Earlier in my life I really didn’t care for Bowie’s music – I guess I was more of pop-girl. But as time passed by and I went to university, I began to appreciate his music more and more.

There is something about Bowie! He certainly was one of the most influential musicians of his era, and there is no doubt that his music played a very strong part in British musical history!  I guess we all would like to be heroes… “just for one day”! 

This blog post is not a story about Bowie. But since there is a gallery in Chelsea that features his work with photographer Brian Duffy, I thought it should be part of my blog! I hope you will enjoy the pictures and the stories behind them as much as I did!

Last Sunday Frenchie and I decided to go for a walk in our neighbourhood, Chelsea! Even though it was cold, the sun was quite kind, so in spite of a never-ending flu we decided to extend our walk and visit Proud Chelsea 

Having a tête-á-tête with Ziggy Stardust in front of Proud Chelsea

Proud Chelsea is a gallery at King’s Road and part of Proud Galleries! No doubt that the people behind it can be “proud”, as the galleries have succeeded in becoming one of Europe’s most popular photographic treasure troves. In their own words the aim is to “focus on photography reflecting popular culture, rock & roll, fashion and more, the shows are always exciting, cutting edge and sometimes controversial.”

Brian Duffy!

At the moment Proud Chelsea has an exhibition with Bowie portraits by Brian Duffy.  Here you can enjoy original prints signed by the late Duffy and get a moving insight into the minds of two exceptional creatives in partnership between 1972 – 1980. 

To be honest, I didn’t know anything about Brian Duffy before going to this exhibition! But it seems, that he was actually the one, who defined the image of the 1960s, and was as famous as the stars he photographed.

Proud Chelsea is a small gallery! But believe me – it’s quality over quantity. The people, who work here were very friendly and more than happy to let me take a few pictures

Frenchie having a closer look at Aladdin Sane ‘Eyes Open’ – London 1973 (signed by David Bowie) 

Brian Duffy had an eight-year working relationship with David Bowie and shot five key sessions over this period providing the creative concept as well as the photographic image for three album covers: Aladdin Sane, Lodger and Scary Monsters. 

 

David Bowie Scary Monster smoking – London 1980

David Bowie Lodger – 1979

“Lodger” made quite an impression on me! It shows how the disturbing cover of 1979s  album was achieved by David Bowie lying on a specially made metal support and being pressed beneath a pane of glass.

Bowie collaborated with British pop artist Derek Boshier on the cover design. The original album featured a full-length shot of Bowie by Brian Duffy as an accident victim, heavily made up with an apparently broken nose.

David Bowie with Scottie Dog – London 1980 

David Bowie Aladdin Sane Demi Contact Sheet – London 1973,  and David Bowie Ziggy Stardust #6 – London 1972

There are a few more images of Bowie featured at Proud Gallery – and they are all on sale! But I guess, I need to buy a few lottery tickets first… (talk about being “Under pressure”!

The Bowie exhibition ends here, but there is more to see…

Going downstairs you will find images of other popular singers, bands and actors!

Mick Jagger – photoshoot for Sticky Fingers -1971 (by David Montgomery)

John Lennon and Yoko Ono relaxing in the White Room where the famous “Imagine” video was shot in Ascot – London 1971 (by Michael Putland)

Proud Galleries can also be found in Camden. I haven’t been there yet, but it is supposed to be a whole lot bigger than the one in Chelsea. Currently there is an exhibition featuring 40 years of punk! (sounds pretty good to me)

Proud Camden Gallery is situated in the heart of the Stables Market in Camden

The Bowie by Duffy exhibition runs from 6th January – 19th February 2017

The 40 years of Punk exhibition runs from 3rd November- 26th February 2017

It was such a lovely Sunday out in Chelsea with Frenchie… Even though we didn’t “make it to the church on time…” 

Bonus Info: David Bowie is to be commemorated with a full set of 10 postage stamps from the Royal Mail. The stamps, which go into circulation from 14 March, commemorate six Bowie album covers as well as four of his tours.

“David Bowie changed music forever. Throughout his career, he reinvented not just his sound but his persona over and over again (…) His style shifted with the sands, but he was always recognisably David Bowie.” (Mark Savage, BBC Music reporter)

X Louise