Not many people can say they saw Grace Jones, Jay-Z, and Rihanna in one room…but I sure did. Okay, so I didn’t actually see these artists live and in person, but I did have the amazing opportunity to see powerful photographs of these artists shot by some of the most formidable music photographers in the industry.
The works of Tim Bret-Day, Phil Knott, Derrick Santini, and Ernie Paniccioli were on display for a short time in New York City at Equity Gallery on the Lower East Side. The compelling photograph exhibit, Eye Contact, is presented by VaultWorks, a company whose mission is to showcase unseen fine art of “untold cultural history through the lenses of the creators who captured it.”
The exhibit featured gripping photographs of the late rapper DMX and songstress, Amy Winehouse, along with breathtaking images of rock icons like David Bowie and Mick Jagger. There are shots of hip hop legends like Lauryn Hill, Busta Rhymes, and RZA. It also included beautiful images of R&B favorites like Rihanna and Aaliyah. But my favorite image was of Lil’ Kim, shot by Derrick Santini. The photoshoot was shortly after her trial in 2005. Santini said, “I sold them this idea of Lil’ Kim as Joan of Arc. So we did this medieval story, and this was her burning at the stake.” The result is incredible! I’ve never seen Lil’ Kim so vulnerable, yet so powerful.
Eye Contact debuted in New York July14th-18th. The exhibit is now on display in Nashville (July 20-27) and then traveling to Los Angeles (October 7-10), and London this autumn. Be on the lookout.
