Photo credit: © Gregory Bojorquez – Chelsea – 4th Street Bridge, Los Angeles, CA 1998. Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Bene Taschen.
Today sees the opening of an exciting new exhibition, Hip Hop – Living a Dream, at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea. Focussing on the works of photographers Jamel Shabazz, Joseph Rodriguez and Gregory Bojorquez, it will be running until 11 September.
About
Hip Hop – Living a Dream explores the development and influence of Hip Hop culture through the works of photographers Jamel Shabazz, Joseph Rodriguez and Gregory Bojorquez.
The Saatchi Gallery explains: “Hip Hop – Living a Dream delves into the lifestyle that, in combination with music, graffiti, breakdancing, and fashion, evolved into a worldwide phenomenon – from the streets of 1980s New York to Los Angeles, the Southern United States, Europe, and beyond, persisting into the present day. This exhibition spotlights the work of renowned photographers Jamel Shabazz, Joseph Rodriguez, and Gregory Bojorquez. From the early 1980s on, each of these three American chroniclers provides distinct insights into the rise and global impact of American Hip Hop culture.
Jamel Shabazz’s work from the 1980s serves as both a personal visual diary and a historical document, capturing the birth of the Hip Hop movement in the vibrant metropolis of New York City. In his series East Side Stories – Gang Life in East L.A., Brooklyn-born photographer Joseph Rodriguez provides a documentary-style look at gang culture during the 1990s. His work portrays the lived experiences, nuances, and harsh realities of gang life. Los Angeles native Gregory Bojorquez has been documenting the Hip Hop scene since the 1990s. His works feature Snoop Dogg & Tha Dogg Pound (DPG), 50 Cent, Eminem, DMX, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Mos Def, Swizz Beatz, and Ice Cube among others.”
The Saatchi Gallery has compiled a fantastic Spotify playlist to accompany the exhibition.
Getting there
The Saatchi Gallery is located by Duke of York’s Square in Chelsea. From Hertford Street, it’s a 30-minute walk or a 20-minute bus ride.
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