Exhibition puts 60s icons in the frame

Aug 29 2008 by Rebecca Edwards, Flintshire Chronicle

ICONIC photos from the 1960s will be on display in Chester for the first time in September.

The Watergate Street Gallery is showing the Sorry you missed the sixties exhibition by internationally-acclaimed photographer, Philip Townsend, from September 4 to October 1.

Gallery manager, Alex Sharp, said: “The photographs date back to the 1960s when Townsend, the famous celebrity snapper of the sixties, captured screen icons and household names alike across this magical decade.

“As the Sixties swung, photographer Philip Townsend was there to record all the prime people of the time, beautiful and ugly alike.

“He encapsulated the debs and their beaux, lords and club owners, press barons and business moguls, stars and socialites, royals and ruffians, and above all the new aristocrats of pop and rock, spearheaded by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

“So if you fancy seeing a young rock band called the Rolling Stones set out on their first photo shoot, or Twiggy posing in a psychedelic two-piece or Cilla Black preparing for a stage entrance, then come down to The Watergate Street Gallery and join us in our celebration of the sixties.”

Other images on display across the four weeks include: the Beatles, Winston Churchill, Dudley Moore, Maria Callas, Grace Kelly, Somerset Maugham, Cilla Black, Gene Pitney and Marlon Brando.

There will be around 50 framed images on display in a range of sizes and collectors can purchase some of the collection.

Alex added: “This is the first of a programme of high profile exhibitions that will take place at gallery's new exhibition cavern. Every month we will endeavour to bring new, fresh art that is accessible to all as an extension of our mission to open up the art world to young and old and all budgets.”

Find out more on www.watergatestreetgallery.co.uk/exhibition.htm or 01244 345698.