Celebrity

1) Visiting New York in 1982, I was walking along Christopher St when I noticed a most vibrant and animated character sitting on a stoop chatting with a few people. I was immediately enchanted by him that I paused and asked if I could take a photo. He sweetly consented and gave me a beaming smile. I thanked him and walked onwards. Only in 2014 when living in NYC and working on my series MANHATTAN 1982, was I informed that this person was the icon LGBTQ activist MARSHA P JOHNSON.

2) Shopping in Macy’s in 1982 with a friend, I encountered a bustling scene. I walked up through a crowd of photographers to see better who their subject was. My sudden presence caused disapproval from the pro photographers. The subject turned in response to the commotion and I snapped this one strong photo of him reacting before I was asked to leave. I found out much later who GIANNI VERSACE was.

3) I first met actor TYRON LEITSO (Being Erica, Wonderfalls) when he was 18 in 1993. We were both living in Vancouver and he was breaking into modelling. We connected as creative friends immediately and he remains a dear friend to date. This is the very first shot I took of him doing our first collaborative shoot. He quickly became my muse as he was a fearless and engaging subject. Many photo shoots happened over the next few decades in NYC and Toronto as well.

4) In January 2000, I was flown to London UK by TYRON LEITSO (on left) to visit and stay in his rental house while he was on a lengthy film shoot for Dinotopia. He became good friends with his costar WENTWORTH MILLER (on right) and we went out for a fine Indian food dinner. Wentworth was very polite and quiet. Though we shared many personal stories and laughs. Wentworth went on to great fame in the US TV series Prison Break and came out as a gay man after the series ended.

5) WENTWORTH MILLER threw a cast and crew party in his London rental apt during my above mentioned visit. I loved that his bathroom had a mirrored ceiling and after a few drinks lured him into the room to do a quick and fun shoot. I loved his t-shirt and ended up buying a version of it for myself.

6) Actor JAMES RANSOME (The Wire, Tangerine) was known as PJ when I hung out with him and his then girlfriend who was my coworker between 1999-2001. He was gradually advancing as an actor in mostly independent films and was a sweet quirky young man. I took this photo of him at SPA in 2000 which was the hot and cool club at the time in NYC.

7) Photographer/Director FLORIA SIGISMONDI with fashion/beauty photographer MICHAEL WILLIAMS at her 2000 solo exhibition opening in NYC. I was Floria’s colour printer at the time and enjoyed working closely with on many print projects. Her gentle yet clear approach to how her vision was to be executed was a wonderful challenge to meet. Floria went on to direct her first feature film The Runaways. Michael and I met when he was 18 in Toronto as I helped to launch his modeling and photography career. Michael was responsible for getting me my first two job connections in NYC and we are like brothers to date.

8) I met Supermodel HELENA CHRISTENSEN at Floria Sigismondi’s above-mentioned exhibition. She was friends with both Floria and Michael Williams. A very quiet yet pleasant woman. When I saw her alone looking at one of Floria’s art pieces, I asked if she would confront the figure so I could snap this photo. Helena has the most beautiful eyes.

9) Photographer PAMELA HANSON and Supermodel/actress LAUREN HUTTON at Pamela’s book launch at her Upper East Side house in NYC 2000. I was invited because I was Pamela’s colour printer at the time and produced many of the master prints for the book. The party spilled into the magical huge back garden of her house which is where I spotted the two of them having a private chat. I approached them and asked if I could take their photo. Lauren put her hand up and said that you only photograph women over 50 from at least 12 feet away. We laughed and I moved back that distance, though I zoomed my lens closer so I could get this more intimate portrait.

10) I met Supermodel HELENA CHRISTENSEN for my second time at Pamela Hanson’s above-mentioned book launch party. I spotted Helena standing alone in the garden and approached her with the reminder that we had met at Floria’s opening earlier that year. She remembered and looked so beautiful that I asked her if I could take this one photo. Once again she was lovely and gracious.

11) I snapped this photo of actress/singer/comedian SANDRA BERNHARD as she was descending the stairs into the garden party at Pamela Hanson’s book launch. I greeted her and noticed she was in a terrific mood. Sandra is the celebrity that I have encountered the most around NYC when I lived there. After our third encounter I let her know that we had a few acquaintances in common and not to think that I was stalking her. She laughed and clearly knew that I posed no threat.

12) When SANDRA BERNHARD continued down the stairs I asked her if my friend could take a photo of us two. She warmly obliged and I treasure this candid and fun moment captured.

13) Actor TYRON LEITSO visited and stayed with me many times throughout the 15 years I lived in NYC. I took this photo of him in 2007 when we were having our morning coffee on the terrace of my Brooklyn apt.

14) I encountered the well known and eccentric New Yorkers VALERIE (left) and JEAN (right) on Grand St in 2013. I was fascinated by their coordinated outfits as they waited to cross the street. I so wanted a great photo to remember them by. I complimented them on their dazzling outfits and asked if I could take a photo. They posed with pleasure for this one snap I took. Years later I found out that they were the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas.

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A note from the artist:

I am delighted to share my new solo exhibition featuring a selection of MANHATTAN 1982 images curated by Peppa Martin, owner of The Commotion gallery based in Vancouver. It has been timed as a tribute to New York City and to honour the events that took place twenty years ago on 9/11.