In 1973, Japanese photographer Herbie Yamaguchi was living in London when the punk movement started 40 years ago. He tells he could sense a new change in the air, especially in the fields of music and fashion. Youngsters with Mohican hairstyles and leather jackets became for Herbie, then young photographer to-be, his favorite subject. But quickly the “ New Wave ” and “ New Romantic ” movements appeared, and allowed Herbie to go further in his photographic approach. Galerie &co119 in Paris presents at the moment a series of these photographs.
London allowed Herbie to refine his photographic themes. One special encounter had a very strong impact on him, and gave him the kick he needed. One day, as he was heading home, he saw in the London Tube, Joe Strummer, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the punk group The Clash. Herbie Yamaguchi was quite impressed, and a bit shyly asked him if he could take a few shots, which Joe accepted nicely. But as Joe was walking out of the train, he turned back to Herbie and told him : “You can click away of whatever you want. That’s punk !”
Herbie Yamaguchi did not have money, so unlike many of his photographer friends, he could not afford to rent studios for his shootings. He was therefore taking photos of his subjects in their daily life, whenever and wherever he had a chance to meet them. He was the nice little Japanese guy everybody liked and whose presence did not disturb anyone. This special status allowed him to take spontaneous shots, unique and sometimes even intimate, such as the pictures he took of his roommate George – who later became known as Boy George – washing his laundry in the bath tub, or simply lying on his bed. Benevolent photos that today go down in history.
Herbie Yamaguchi, « You can click away of whatever you want. That’s punk ! »
May 16 to July 8, 2017
Galerie &co119
119 Rue Vieille du Temple
75003 Paris
France
https://8co119.co/
