It’s been two years since the death of David Bowie, and we’re still feeling the loss. But at least the groundbreaking performer left us a wealth of materials to remember him by – decades of brilliant albums, innovative films, and thoughtful interviews. Even photographs of Bowie seem to have stories and secrets to tell, which is part of the reason we’re so excited about BOWIE, the Morrison Hotel Gallery’s new exhibit and sale, which is now open in all three of their locations (New York, Los Angeles, and Maui).
“An enigma and masterpiece of his own creation, it’s no secret that the multitudes of David Bowie have redefined the very essence of rock & roll,” says Marcelle Murdock, director of Morrison Hotel Gallery in NY. “From the Aladdin Sane album cover shot by Duffy to the intimate portraits of Geoff MacCormack, this exhibition explores the late artist in his countless angles and identities.”
The exhibit and sale will feature the photographs of Duffy, Gerald Fearnley, Lynn Goldsmith, Bob Gruen, Guido Harari, Markus Klinko, Geoff MacCormack, Terry O’Neill, Neal Preston, Mick Rock, Masayoshi Sukita, Barry Schultz, and Barrie Wentzell – with all images available for purchase at each gallery and online. The Morrison Hotel Gallery will run BOWIE through March 23rd, but if you’re not in one of those three cities, no worries; we’ve got a preview of some of our favorite images, and some thoughts from the photographers who took them.
Photo credit: Barrie Wentzell/Morrison Hotel Gallery
“It was a rather overcast day in London, and Mick Watts and I went over to interview David at his manager Tony DeFries’ rather small and grubby office on Regent Street. As we entered, David was sitting very pretty in this amazingly bright outfit, lazily smoking a cigarette and reading a book. “Hello, come in,” he said smiling, and after we got over the shock of the new Bowie look, Mick and I sat down and had a cup of tea and a chat about what he was up to with this ‘new look’. During the chat/interview David announced he was gay and always had been, much to the shock of our Mick Watts who, though a bit stunned, continued the interview with a quizzical expression of disbelief. I took pictures and tried not to laugh. True, there were many gay folks in the ‘biz’ but none of them would admit it to the press. I thought David was ‘pulling our leg’ and it was just part of his new act with Ziggy. This photo was used on the front page of the Melody Maker for the next week’s issue, reversed so David is looking the other way. It caused a lot of talk and as David told me later, the publicity had made him, or rather Ziggy, a star.” — Barrie Wentzell
Photo credit: Barry Schultz/Morrison Hotel Gallery
“David Bowie in 1974 at the Dutch TV show TopPop playing “Rebel Rebel” wearing an eyepatch. He was late and did many takes and met us after the taping to do some more pictures with the press. He was, as always, very gracious and kind.” — Barry Schultz
Photo credit: Geoff MacCormack/Morrison Hotel Gallery
“When I was (quite rightly) dropped from my role as Bowie body double (in The Man Who Fell to Earth) for, well, looking completely and utterly different to him, it turned out to be a veiled blessing. I took advantage of the free time and the sublime New Mexico light and picked up my Nikon. This image of David is one of my favorites. I particularly like it for its raw honesty.” — Geoff MacCormack
Photo credit: Geoff MacCormack/Morrison Hotel Gallery
“I’m so glad I took this (once in a lifetime) photograph of The Man, en famille, before he fell to earth. The temperature was unbearably hot at White Sands in New Mexico. This was the site of the detonation of the first atomic bomb in 1945, an eerie and desolate place.” — Geoff MacCormack
Photo credit: ©Duffy Archive 1973
Photo credit: Terry O’Neill/Morrison Hotel Gallery
Photo credit: ©Duffy Archive 1979
Photo credit: Masayoshi Sukita/Morrison Hotel Gallery
BOWIE runs through March 23rd at the Morrison Hotel Gallery’s locations in New York (116 Prince Street), West Hollywood (1200 Alta Loma Road), and Lahaina, Hawaii (744 Front Street). For more gallery information and hours, visit their website; for more on BOWIE, check out their online gallery.