4th March-29th April: Dean Chalkley at The Book Club

Dean Chalkley at The Book Club

Dean Chalkley presents his 'The New Faces' exhibition at The Book Club this month. Here's what they have to say about it.

'The New Faces', is the title of the latest exhibition from photographer Dean Chalkley, it is a study of eight young ‘Modernists’. Bound together by their shared passion for smart dressing and great dancing, for sharp suits and R’n’B.As Dean says “In these dark times where some allegedly find it hard to even get dress...ed to go to the supermarket, these kids are beacons of light, sharp dressed youths who have so much pride in the way they present themselves and live their lives.” These young ‘Modernists’ are all in their late teens or early twenties and are ‘Faces’ on the right scene now. Dean first encountered these young hipsters last summer most at his monthly night club in north London, where they would appear, dance, and after a few visits DJ. He became fascinated by their moves and by their style and the idea for ‘The New Faces’ was born.“I chose to shoot the session in a white studio, out of context, that way the characters show through more clearly. Although, it’s in this white environment the images are not inert or devoid of life. No! They have soul, dynamism and are fun too.”

All the subjects in the series are wearing their own clothes … THIS IS HOW THEY DRESS.

Dean has had an unwavering focus on the point at which music,. fashion and sub culture collide. In 2005 he presented ‘Now Stand Tall” a show celebrating the rise of indie music from 1999-2005. This was followed by ‘Southend’s Underground’, an investigation into the then burgeoning youth subculture in the seaside town of Southend–on-Sea. Dean captured this scene, as it was about to explode into the worlds of music and fashion with profound effect. To this day the ripples of this outburst can still be felt and seen in bands like The Horrors and These New Puritans as well as in the fashions that were ultimately appropriated by the major designers like Dior.

The exhibition runs between 4 March - 29th April at The Book Club 100 Leonard Street, EC2A 4RH