The Swinging Sixties in sharp focus at The Lowry
Mister Sixties: Philip Townsend’s Portraits of a Decade
The Lowry, Salford Quays
Sat 18 September- Sun 7 November 2010
The Swinging Sixties is at the heart of a new exhibition from celebrated 60s photographer Philip Townsend renowned for taking the Rolling Stones’ first ever photo shoot when they were broke and hungry and seeking their first record contract.
In a decade like no other, there was an explosion of new music and fashion which still has echoes today. Philip Townsend was at the beating heart of the revolution and captured unforgettable images in an imitable style which speaks down the years about the people and events that made the Sixties swing.
For The Lowry this is a remarkable first. It will be Townsend's first exhibition in a major UK public gallery and will see some images on show for the first time.
Townsend said: “I shall be showing a few of my old favourites and quite a few so far unseen images.”
Documenting the people, the style and the musical revolution, this vibrant exhibition of over sixty images captures some of the most iconic faces of the Sixties including Grace Kelly, Twiggy, The Beatles and private fashion shows at Mary Quant’s headquarters.
Between 1960 and 1969 Townsend worked as a photographer for many leading magazines and newspapers both in the UK and abroad. While other photographers took portraits, often closely cropped, Townsend widened his frame to include backgrounds, landscapes and a sheer feel of the period.
The Lowry celebrated its 10th anniversary on 28 April 2010 and has spent 10 years delighting, engaging and challenging both local and national audiences with the very best in visual art and performance. The Lowry Centre Trust is a not-for-profit charitable organisation and registered charity (no. 1053962). All income supports our world-class Theatres and Galleries programme, the care and display of the LS Lowry Collection and our life-changing Community and Education work. The Lowry’s Chief Executive, Julia Fawcett was awarded an OBE for services to the Arts in the Queen’s 2010 New Year Honours list.
Posted on Monday, 05 July 2010 under Galleries Press