Ian Curtis was in his early twenties when he chose to end his life way back in 1980. We never got to see him grow old and or maybe record a bad album nor get to hear about him moving his money to a tax haven as we have with other ageing pop stars. This means he has become frozen in history at that certain point in his life and career.
His band, Joy Division has also been fixed in our consciousness at the same moment in time. The energy and brilliance of Curtis and his band has been magnified and shrouded in intrigue ever since. This mystique has been helped greatly by the enigmatic images taken by a then young photographer called Kevin Cummins. He was given unique access to the band right the way through their short but brilliant burst of life between 1977 and 1980. These images have helped build the mystery and magic around Joy Division. Grainy, mono and often witnessing Ian and the rest of the band in unguarded moments, these images show us a vulnerability that lies behind the savage power of the music. This exhibition will serve to add yet one more layer to the enigma of Ian Curtis and his band.
The exhibition is showing at Proud Camden 6th October to 11th December 2011
See www.Proud.co.uk for more details
