The Dark Art Of Steve Gullick

10:47 AM GMT 04/04/2008

THE PHOTOGRAPHY of Steve Gullick is unique. Graceful and forbidding in equal measure, it captures the essence of the maverick rockers to whom he’s drawn while resorting to none of the garish tricks and gimmicks that have become the staples of music photography. He’s in a tradition that goes back through Pennie Smith to Jim Marshall. Only he’s more doomy and punk.

But don’t take our word for it. Judge for yourself at Tenebrous, an exhibition of his work being held at London’s Rough Trade East until May 13. Here you will see a selection of classic images – including portraits of Kurt Cobain, Björk, Lou Reed, and the pick of his evocatively chaotic concert pics – in a fitting environment. All prints (limited to 25 of each image) will be available for sale throughout the period of the exhibition.

Gullick started out taking band shots for a friend's fanzine in the early ’90s and was swiftly recruited by the weekly music paper Sounds. Since then, he’s shutterbugged for Melody Maker, NME and MOJO – for whom he shot Grinderman, Depeche Mode and The Fall – co-launched Careless Talk Costs Lives and Loose Lips Sink Ships magazines, whilst moonlighting in rock bands that have included Welfare Heroine, Bender and the current Tenebrous Liar. We can confirm that he’s a great guy to go on assignment with, so long as you can hold your drink and can tolerate long periods scouring foreign cities of vintage guitar amplifiers.

Enjoy a selection of exhibition highlights in our online gallery.

Check out his web site, and – go on – hire the guy.

Posted by Danny_Eccleston at 10:47 AM GMT 04/04/2008