In 2019 silkscreen artist David Studwell met British photographer David Katz at an exhibition of Katz's work in Camden, London, and a very special print was born.
David Katz suffers from albinism and is legally blind - albinism affects pigmentation in the retina which is essential for normal vision. David somehow managed to carve out a career as a tabloid photographer for twenty years in London, whilst keeping his disability a secret. It was one of the best-kept secrets on Fleet Street.
“If anybody found out that I was legally blind, that would have been the end of my career.” Katz
David photographed dozens of celebrities including David Beckham, Elton John, and Amy Winehouse; as well as political figures such as Barack Obama and Margaret Thatcher. He was even appointed as Tony Blair's personal photographer for a spell.
At the exhibition Studwell and Katz discussed the possibility of collaborating together on a new screen print edition. The photograph David took of Amy Winehouse at an early pub gig in Camden, on the brink of her later success, caught Studwell's eye.
The image showed an innocent and naïve talent on the edge of fame; about to be catapulted into superstardom. Katz was the only photographer allowed access to the gig.
“People were talking over her performance and although she had a reputation for being explosive; she politely asked them to be quiet. The interruption continued and after asking a second time; she unplugged and left the stage.” David Katz
Studwell was soon back in the studio and began working on the new Amy Winehouse screen print edition.
VIEW THE AMY WINEHOUSE SPECIAL EDITION PRINT
He created four different editions of the image in order to give buyers and collectors breadth of choice whilst keeping the editions small; in turn making the work more desirable and personal. The colours he chose were both masculine and feminine; accentuating the vulnerability in the photograph using pinks whilst showing strength and steeliness in the blues and greys.
One of the four got the special edition treatment from Studwell, who added his signature diamond dust to the finish, resulting in a striking and beautiful piece of work. The diamond dust evokes a sense of glamour and beauty often found in the singer's music and in combination with the grungy pose reflects the ‘Britpop’ of the 90’s and the heady days of the Camden Town music scene.
Katz now runs the David Katz Foundation, raising funds for children with visual impairment.
“I kept my disability a secret during my career so that I could get to this day and speak publicly about it; to help children with visual impairment.”
He has spoken about visual impairment and albinism extensively on BBC News, Ted Talks and social media, increasing the charities profile and raising much needed funds for the foundation.
The artists agreed that a percentage of sales from the Amy Winehouse screen prints would go to the foundation. Every screen print sold from the edition therefore helps to raise much needed funds for the David Katz Foundation. The money raised will provide support to people with all forms of visual impairment and establish a network of counsellors for children with visual impairment and their families. The aim of the charity is to also educate the public, bring about change in public attitude and remove old stigmas surrounding visual impairment.
VIEW THE AMY WINEHOUSE SPECIAL EDITION PRINT
The Special Edition has been made available to Hypergallery and we are delighted to be able to share it with our collectors. Click the link above to view it, or click below for all prints by David Studdwell.
