Disclosure

Kevin Cummins

Sun Feb 28 2016 – Mon Apr 11 2016

Featuring images from 40 years of Iconic Rock portraits by one of the world renowned masters of the genre, Lucy Bell is delighted to present Kevin Cummins’ exhibition “Disclosure”.From his early work with his hometown bands such as Joy Division and The Smiths, to his later work with Rock legends such as Bowie and Jagger, Cummins has always been acutely aware of the mythological component of the images he created, “If I had simply produced the photos of Joy Division in the studio, it would not have had any meaning.

What interested me was to show the environment in which they lived. I was probably more aware than the groups themselves of the myth that the pictures would convey.”The moment the post punk music scene exploded in Manchester with Joy Division and the birth of Factory Records, Kevin Cummins became as integral a factor as any, in creating the legend that was to become ‘MADCHESTER’ – “Kevin Cummins was sometimes more important than the bands”. Pete Shelley (Buzzcocks)

As well as capturing the madness and majesty of performance, Kevin Cummins has always been able to access the vulnerability of the artists behind the scenes as demonstrated in his series of Joy Divisions’ career. Ian Curtis performs his powerful, legendary dance moves and then, in their rehearsal room, Curtis sits, quietly, cigarette in hand, a grey coat hangs from the wall behind him, revealing the artist a young man, exposed. These images describe the duality of life in Joy Division which Kevin’s series documents so eloquently.

A chronicler of choice to the bands that made up the ‘Madchester’ scene, and with his innate sense of drama, in terms of composition and lighting, Kevin Cummins work soon brought him to a wider audience through his collaboration with NME and a series of early groundbreaking exhibitions. “Kevin’s photographs have shaped the way fans perceive their idols. These images capture moments long forgotten”. Noel Gallagher “My favourite NME cover was The Stone Roses when they were covered in paint. That was mega.” Liam Gallagher, NME 20/4/02

Kevin has gone on to amass an enviable portfolio which has won him global acclaim among music fans and art collectors alike with commissions for London’s National Theatre and countless album covers. His work adorns walls across the world both in private collections and on permanent display in the likes of The Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. The Stone Roses covered with paint or Morrissey draped upside down over a monitor have become definitive images of our times, and demonstrates how Kevin Cummins gained the trust of the artists he worked with. Kevin has published many books including his latest “Assassinated Beauty” which captures the career of the Manic Street Preachers and many of the portraits, including the last known photographs taken of Richey Edwards which will be part of the “Disclosure” exhibition. “Disclosure” opens in our Norman Road gallery from Feb 28th– 10th April 2015 and all prints are for sale, there will be over 50 images from this large and diverse selection of portraits including Joy Division, The Smiths, The Sex Pistols, Courtney Love, David Bowie, Liam Gallagher, Sinead O’Connor, Manic Street Preachers, Buzzcocks, The Stone Roses and many more.All prints are for sale, limited edition silver gelatin prints are available

(c) All images copyright Kevin Cummins

Kevin Cummins – Stone Roses Shoot Reni’s Hat Manchester 1989

Kevin Cummins – Stone Roses and Paint , Manchester 1989

Kevin Cummins – Stone Roses and Paint (Blue) Manchester 1989

Kevin Cummins – Blondie, 1977

Kevin Cummins – Joy Division, Art & Furniture Chapel Walks, 1979

Kevin Cummins – Joy Division, Cathedral Yard, Manchester 1979

Kevin Cummins – Ian Curtis Performing – Futurama 1979 Queen’s Hall Leeds

Kevin Cummins – Liam Gallagher, Oasis, London 1994

Kevin Cummins – Morrisey, Dunham Massey, Manchester 1983

Kevin Cummins – Madonna – Hacienda 1984

Kevin Cummins – Lou Reed, Free Trade Hall, Manchester 1974

Kevin Cummins – David Bowie, Rollarana Leeds, 1973

Kevin Cummins – Pete Shelley, Buzzcocks

Kevin Cummins – The Drones, 1977

Kevin Cummins – The Fall Manchester, 1978

Kevin Cummins – Ian Dury, Leeds 1977

Kevin Cummins – Pet Shop Boys

Kevin Cummins – Morrisey, Jones Beach Theatre 1991

Kevin Cummins – So It Goes

Kevin Cummins – So It Goes – Limited Edition with Print

Kevin Cummins – Sex Pistols, Ivanhoe’s Huddersfield, Christmas Day 1977

Kevin Cummins – The Fall Telling Stories – Signed Book

Kevin Cummins – Morrissey – Rochdale Canal, Manchester 1991

Kevin Cummins – John Lydon, 1989

Kevin Cummins – Buzzcocks, 1977 Kitchen Queen Showroom Manchester

Kevin Cummins – Electric Circus, 1977

Kevin Cummins – Paul Simonon & Mick Jones The Clash, 1980

Kevin Cummins – Patti Smith BBC TV Studios, 1978

Kevin Cummins – Gaye Advert Manchester, 1977

Cart