Gavin Watson / 55DSL
Last week 55DSL’s London flagship played host to an exhibition called “Neville,” a showcase of the work of 2DM photographer emeritus Gavin Watson. Known in cooler circles the world over for his poignantly punk Skins and Punks and Raving 89 monographs, as well as his world-class portfolio of photos for an insanely long list of publications.
The exhibition centres on Gavin’s muse and the subject of one of his most important series – one he has, in fact, spent a lifetime following – his younger brother Neville. The series follow the indomitable youth, the other Watson, from precocious kid to full-fledged adult and is extraordinary in the particular, direct, trusting relationship it makes obvious between the lens and its subject. Not to mention, Neville is a bad ass.
The “delightfully offensive” limited edition t-shirt of Neville’s most iconic portrait, complete with killer preteen punk scowl, was featured at the exhibition alongside a box of picture postcards by Gavin, and is still up for grabs at 55DSL’s site.
Text and photo by Tag Christof
