An interactive photographic exhibition by acclaimed photographer Lawrence Watson
Lawrence Watson is a British photographer who documented the rise of many famous Manchester and Salford Bands and was a regular staff photographer at the NME through the 1980s and 1990s.
This installation focusses on the culture of Manchester in the 80s and 90s and the foundations that lead to the city fast becoming the bedrock of the British music scene.
The multimedia exhibit will contain never before seen photographs of the Noel Gallagher’s High flying Birds, The Smiths, Oasis, Ian Brown, New Order and many more.
The exhibition takes place across two floors (Stair access for the basement), 2000sqft of musical archive, audio clips, films and interviews, and even a 1980s Teenagers bedroom for the full nostalgic experience.
Leaving school aged 16 he took an apprenticeship in a dark room in the East End of London from which he graduated to a dark room at London Weekend Television. Soon he joined the NME as a staff photographer where he documented top tiered British talent such as The Smiths, Oasis, Pulp, Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones, New Order and Orbital.
In the early 80s Lawrence was commissioned to document the immersing Hip Hop scene in New York. There he took portraits of legendary artists such as Run DMC and Public Enemy. Currently Watson is commissioned as Noel Gallagher’s photographer for the ‘High Flying Birds’.
This is the first exhibition by the Future Artists collective in their Kickstarter funded venue in Chapel Street
