SKINS by Gavin Watson. Book/Exhibition's Interests
General
The Author/Photographer:
Gavin Watson is an acclaimed documentary and portrait photographer who grew up in the tough council estates and back-streets depicted so grittily in the stunning images contained within Skins.
At 13, he started photographing his friends and associates hanging out in the street, at school, at the market – anywhere. His natural eye for a moment in time and the stark brutal honesty of the images he captured have made his collection of work one of the UK’s finest documentary portfolios.
He grew up to become a professional photographer and has done work for many global companies including billboard images for Dr Martens, countless music magazines and music TV channels, album cover artwork as well as being featured in fashion bibles such as i-D and The Face and numerous high profile exhibitions.
Books
Press Enquiries
Press enquiries regarding Skins can be directed to the publisher Independent Music Press FAO Dave Hanley.
Dave@impbooks.com
Heroes
This myspace page is maintained by both Gavin and Independent Music Press. So if you'd like to speak to Gavin leaving a comment is probably the most effective way via this page.
THE OFFICIAL MYSPACE PAGE FOR GAVIN WATSON'S PICTORIAL BOOK 'SKINS'
Perhaps one of the most reviled yet misunderstood of all the youth subcultures, the skinhead look and lifestyle has now rightly returned to the very forefront of contemporary youth culture. While celebrities and sportsmen shave their heads for the red carpet, the underbelly of British youth culture has rediscovered the look via acclaimed films such as 2007’s award-winning This Is England. The look is now more fashionable than it has ever been.
The single most important photographic record of this unique subculture is Gavin Watson’s Skins, now proudly released as a brand new edition on Independent Music Press, complete with over 25 new and previously unpublished photographs.
Thanks to twelve42 films for this great promo trailer.
The scores of black and white shots offer a fascinating glimpse into a skinhead community that was multi-cultural, tightly knit and above all else, fiercely proud of their look. These are classic photographs of historical value.
"When he was 13 years old, Gavin Watson got his hands on a camera and started taking pictures of his brothers and his friends mucking about. Those photos later turned into a book call Skins, which is arguably one of the best and most important books about youth fashion and culture ever published."
Vice magazine, 2007
"A modern classic" The Times
"This book has become a cult itself." The Observer Review
"The world Watson depicts is so skilfully captured, giving an undeniable pull to these pictures, making Skins a compelling tome. We are sure you will get the picture."FHM
"A candid, no-punches-pulled profile, a colourful set of motifs for a cultural subsector and crammed with absolutely enthralling images. Thought-provoking stuff."Record Collector
* This is the definitive pictoral book on skins and has been the subject of several TV documentaries and photography exhibitions since its initial publication back in the early-1990s.
* Includes 25 unpublished new pictures, plus a previously unpublished, 5000-words of text from Watson about his life, skinhead culture and the book itself.
* Introduction by subcultural and youth fashion world expert Ted Polhemus.
* The release will be supported by an exhibition in Covent Garden, London and by undoubted intense media coverage from the broadsheets, tabloids, music and fashion magazines.
PORTMAN - Released their debut album “From Here To Your Eyes And Ears" on March 3rd. The album is available to order Right Here. The album is also available from stores such as HMV, Amazon, iTunes, Play. com, etc. Check it out!
DOWN FOR THE COUNT - Their February UK Tour fell through at the last minute and to apologise to all the fans about this we are now selling the bands debut album “Broken Record Tactics” for just £3. 99, available Right Here
The band are hoping to come back to tour the UK late summer/early autumn so keep an eye out for that.
