Angela on Art

Janette Beckman

Janette Beckman, Rebels + Icons

A Visual Legacy of Music, Fashion and Culture

On May 16 a new exhibit opened at The Museum of Pop Culture and it runs through April 2027. It features the work of Janette Beckman, covering her work from the 70’s through today. She is a British documentary photographer who has worked in London, New York and Los Angeles. Her career began after art school, as a photographer at Sounds Newspaper and The Face magazine in London. These were publications for anti-mainstream music and culture. The punk subculture was her main focus and her first assignment was shooting Siouxie and The Banshees, followed by The Clash, The Sex Pistols and other punk bands in their early days.

Rebels + Icons: The Photography of Jeanette Beckman | MOPOP

Johnny Rotten (Lyndon) | janettebeckman.com

She moved to New York in 1982, and found work with smaller rap and hip-hop labels. The legends she photographed were not legends at the time. There is a very good, short documentary about Janette Beckman included at the exhibit. I recommend watching it. The musicians she photographed really appreciated and liked her and there are some good stories. I feel this is how she was able to capture such honest images.

There are over 150 photographs in the exhibit spanning four decades and including some contemporary collaborations. We were lucky to frame 24 of them and get a sneak peek of the “mash-ups”, which combined her photographs overlayed with painting by graffiti artists.

Assorted photography | janettebeckman.com

Run DMC and Fab 5 Freddy | janettebeckman.com

Big Daddy Kane with CES ONE graffiti | janettebeckman.com

I love her portraiture! She captures the natural essence of the artists she photographs. A few of the images I had seen before but mostly they were all wonderful surprises. You will find your favorites amongst them for sure. (Mine is Chaka Khan)

Chaka Khan and Roxanne Shante | janettebeckman.com

Tracy Chapman and St. Vincent | janettebeckman.com

Thundercat | janettebeckman.com

This exhibit also includes fashion and street style photography.

Dior Campaign | janettebeckman.com

Janette shot many iconic album cover photos, including The Police, Salt-n-Pepa and Run DMC.

From photo shoots for publications to studio photography to fashion and street style, Janette Beckman has a gift for capturing the most creative artists of the time. I would include her as one of them!