DUFFY
"Duffy and aggravation go together like gin and tonic."
- quote by David Bailey
An exhibition of iconic photographs of the 60s and 70s by Brian Duffy

20th July until 31st August 2013
 
Gallery Vassie is proud to announce the forthcoming collaborative exhibition Bowie by Duffy - Photographs '72 - '80, at Foam's (FotoMuseum Amsterdam) &Foam at Vijzelstraat 78, Amsterdam, from 20th June- 6th October 2013. 

In conjunction with the Foam exhibition, Gallery Vassie will be hosting an show devoted to Brian Duffy, which aims to showcase a wider range of Duffy's iconic and incredible portfolio of images, of fashion, celebrity and of course a taste of Bowie too!
	
'I don't give a f**k what anybody thinks about me…. I never wanted to be famous. Why? For what? So the doorman at Harrods can recognise me? What I care about is what my kids think about me, and what my grandchildren think of me - the fact that they think I'm a genius is delicious.'
- Brian Duffy.

Gallery Vassie is extremely proud to present an exhibition of the work of the legendary British photographer Brian Duffy. Which will coincide with "Bowie by Duffy” at Foam (FotoMuseum Amsterdam).
Known to friends and colleagues by his surname alone, Duffy was a rival and contemporary of David Bailey and Terence Donovan. This “terrible trio” as the British press had dubbed them, were the innovators of “documentary” fashion photography, a style which revolutionised fashion imagery and furthermore the fashion industry. 

The ‘Trio’ became far more famous than many of the models, with whom they worked, and were, for a while, even bigger than the glossy magazines that published their pictures. Receiving added notoriety when famed photographer Norman Parkinson named them the "Black Trinity". 

	
There was some merit in this label, as the cravat-wearing old guard felt threatened by these freewheeling young men in leather jackets, who took their models on to the streets and snapped them with newfangled, small 35mm cameras. 
Beginning his career at Vogue Magazine, Duffy made his name in fashion and celebrity photography and went on to become one of only a few photographers to have shot two Pirelli Calendars. 

Few celebrities of the 1960s and 1970s escaped Duffy's lens, which created memorable and sometimes iconic images of sitters including; David Bowie, Jane Birkin, John Lennon, Blondie, Sir Michael Caine, Jean Shrimpton (The Shrimp), William Burroughs, Sidney Poitier, Terence Stamp and a naked Christine Keeler, whose scandalous affairs, famously almost brought down the British Government.

	
His work was dynamic and inventive, as can be seen in the memorable 1973 album cover he shot for David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane, but in 1979, disillusioned with the business, he took his transparencies and negatives into his studios garden and set them alight in a ceremonial finale to his career as a photographer, having felt that he had said all he could say in the medium. 

Thankfully, not all the negatives were destroyed and a selection of what was literally salvaged from the bonfire. 
In 2009, his son Chris persuaded him to pick up his camera again and the story of Duffy’s early career and comeback is documented in a BBC documentary shown in January 2010 titled The Man Who Shot the 60s - which can be seen during the Duffy exhibition at Foam.

This exhibition, alongside the David Bowie by Duffy Exhibition at Foam, re-ignite the work of this creative visionary and although Duffy wasn’t concerned with his own fame, the legacy he leaves us is unquestionable and he will no doubt continue to inspire for generations to come.

	
Commenting on the significance of his father’s work, Chris Duffy said: “One of the top three photographers on the scene in 60s and 70s London, Duffy’s work is essential in the development and understanding of the dynamic visual language that took hold at the time when London was the epicentre of cool. Known for his avant-garde eye, Duffy’s work transcends the time in which it was taken and continues to influence the visual styles of today.”
And of course, how could we not mention that there be some of Duffy's iconic photographs of David Bowie in there as well! Including well known images from Aladdin Sane, Lodger, Scary Monsters (& Super Creeps) and Ziggy Stardust.

This is a unique opportunity to see two sides of the renowned bad boy of photography, Duffy, at Gallery Vassie and &FOAM. We look forward to welcoming you! 

	
To see more about the Bowie by Duffy exhibition at &Foam please see: 
http://foam.org/press/2013/bowie-by-duffy

For additional information and press images please contact the gallery.
 
For the duration of the 'Bowie by Duffy exhibition' at &Foam, there will also be a selection of Duffy's images of David Bowie for sale.

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All above images Copyright © Duffy Archive, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Gallery Vassie
Langestraat 47
1015 AK
Amsterdam
The Netherlands

+31 (0)685 724 797

www.galleryvassie.com

info@galleryvassie.com
www.galleryvassie.com

info@galleryvassie.com
  |  

Addie & Mitchell Vassie


Gallery Vassie
Langestraat 47
1015 AK
The Netherlands
 
info@galleryvassie.com
www.galleryvassie.com
 
+31 (0)685 724 797