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Charles Gatewood
Squid Tattoo, black and white close up photographic portrait by Charles Gatewood

c. 1980s

Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
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About the Item

"Squid Tattoo" a black and white close up photographic portrait by Charles Gatewood depicting a man with a Studio stamp in black ink, verso Gelatin silver print 11 x 14 inches, sheet 6.5 x 10 inches, image Charles Gatewood was a groundbreaking photographer known for capturing both mainstream celebrities and the fringes of society, especially the underground subcultures of the late 20th century. Born in 1942 in Illinois, Gatewood's career spanned over five decades, during which he photographed an array of notable figures, from Bob Dylan, whose photograph catapulted his career, to Beat poets like William S. Burroughs and civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. However, his legacy extends beyond celebrity portraits; Gatewood became deeply invested in documenting alternative lifestyles, particularly the BDSM and body modification communities, as well as events like the Folsom Street Fair and Burning Man in San Francisco. His early career began in Stockholm, where he worked as a darkroom technician and earned access to high-profile events, including jazz concerts. However, it was his iconic photograph of Dylan in 1966 that led to syndication and global recognition. Despite this early success, Gatewood veered away from celebrity photography, seeking instead to explore the darker, more taboo corners of human experience. He described his work as an effort to "take photographs that kill," aiming to reveal truths often ignored by mainstream media. Gatewood moved to San Francisco in 1987, where he continued to document the eccentricities of the city’s underground scene, working with publications like Skin and Ink magazine. His work was often seen as controversial, pushing boundaries with explicit depictions of sex and countercultural practices. Yet, Gatewood saw himself as an anthropologist of sorts, capturing the raw, unfiltered reality of these communities. His body of work includes numerous photography books, including Wall Street and Badlands, as well as several documentary films that showcased his explorations into fringe cultures. Tragically, Gatewood passed away in 2016 following a fall from his balcony, which is believed to have been a suicide attempt. His death marked the end of a life dedicated to documenting both the celebrated and the marginalized, leaving behind a vast archive of images that UC Berkeley’s Bancroft Library has preserved for future generations
  • Creator:
    Charles Gatewood
  • Creation Year:
    c. 1980s
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 11 in (27.94 cm)Width: 14 in (35.56 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU932315215732

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