Boston-born artist Al Vandenberg studied alongside notable names like street photographer Bruce Davidson, famous for his portraits of East Harlem, New York residents, former Harper’s Bazaar art director Alexey Brodovitch, and fashion photographer Richard Avedon. In 1967, Vandenberg collaborated on the art direction of the legendary Beatles album cover for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. But after a period as a successful commercial photographer, Vandenberg set out on his own to focus on his street photography, which is being presented in the artist’s first monograph from publisher Stanley/Barker, in partnership with Eric Franck Fine Art. On a Good Day features Vandenberg’s London street portraits from the 1970s and ‘80s, capturing the decade’s diverse fashions and mood. “He was gifted with somehow being able to strike a rapport with, and feel empathy for, his subjects almost instantly,” writes V&A curator Martin Barnes in his afterword of the book. See a preview of On a Good Day in our gallery.
© Al Vandenberg, courtesy of Stanley/Barker
© Al Vandenberg, courtesy of Stanley/Barker
© Al Vandenberg, courtesy of Stanley/Barker
© Al Vandenberg, courtesy of Stanley/Barker
© Al Vandenberg, courtesy of Stanley/Barker
© Al Vandenberg, courtesy of Stanley/Barker
© Al Vandenberg, courtesy of Stanley/Barker
© Al Vandenberg, courtesy of Stanley/Barker
© Al Vandenberg, courtesy of Stanley/Barker
© Al Vandenberg, courtesy of Stanley/Barker
© Al Vandenberg, courtesy of Stanley/Barker