Dean Chalkey Exhibition talk – Oriel Colwyn, Wales

Since picking up a camera for Dazed & Confused in the mid-1990s, Dean Chalkley has established himself as one of the UK’s most distinctive photographers. His work moves between music, style and subcultural life, always driven by a fascination with people and self-expression.

Date: Saturday 21st March

Time: 7pm  (doors 6.30pm)

Location: Upstairs in the Gallery at Oriel Colwyn

Dean’s portraits span underground pioneers to global pop icons appearing in publications such as The Observer, Vanity Fair, and The Sunday Times Magazine.

His work has been exhibited in galleries in the UK and overseas and he has collaborated with brands including Levi’s, Adidas, Ray-Ban, BMG and Third Man Records.

Whether creating expansive multidimensional projects or singular portrait studies, he immerses himself in his subjects, he is also compelled by a deep love for music and its power.

Originally trained as a tailor, Dean’s enduring love of sartorial style has inspired most of his most notable projects. His collaboration with creative director Harris Elliott on the seminal Return of the Rudeboy became a major exhibition at Somerset House bringing into sharp focus 21st century Rudeboy culture. Other celebrated series include The New Faces, capturing the vitality of the modern Mod scene, and Young Souls and Young Souls 23, which highlighted young Northern Soul devotees. His ambitious project New Perspectives expanded this approach, combining photography, film and also produced a 12″ vinyl record release.

His accolades include the Picture Editors’ Portrait Photographer of the Year, NME’s Outstanding Contribution to Music Photography Award, and an Honorary Fellowship from Norwich University of the Arts.

Dean continues to be a prolific image maker with new projects and commissions constantly on underway. His most recent publication, Back in Ibiza 1998–2003 (ACC Art Books), draws from his archive stepping back in time to the wild hedonism of Ibiza’s club scene at the turn of the century.