Exhibition dates: 16th November - 8th December 2018
Show extended until 20th December due to popular demand
Ashworth created some of the most memorable images of 1980s icons.
He photographed Soft Cell, Eurythmics, Blancmange, The The, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Adam Ant, Tina Turner, Julian Cope, and The Clash, to name but a few, for album sleeves and magazine covers.
The album sleeve was the much-analysed visual focus of fans attention. It was critical to how the group and music were perceived. In some cases, it became synonymous with the ‘image’ of the group or star. Take for example Ashworth’s portrait of Annie Lennox for the Eurythmics album ‘Touch'.
Ashworth’s skill was to capture the character of his subjects whilst setting them in meticulously detailed, colourful and rich backgrounds. His depth of knowledge matched with his urge to create resulted in work both fantastical and challenging. He was at the heart of the London music and fashion scene and immersed himself in the ideas and style of that vibrant period. Ashworth’s work has become an embodiment of the spirit of the time and is an important register of some of the most popular stars of that era.
Mari Wilson, whom he photographed, featured him in her lyric;
“I've got a mink from Paris, a ring from Rome, A whole new wardrobe in my home, A tune from Teddy, An Ashworth snap These are the landmarks on my map, I've got just what I always wanted”
Mari Wilson, ‘Just what I always wanted’ (music & lyrics by Tot Taylor / © Songmatic Music)
This exhibition features a collection of works, personally selected from his archive, reflecting the pop aesthetic of the 1980s. Ashworth still works in music and fashion photography and is in the process of creating a digital archive.
‘mavericks’ debuted in The Gallery, Liverpool and has been adapted specifically for Lever Gallery.
Annie Lennox 'Touch' Eurythmics
Associates 'Sulk'
Frankie Goes to Hollywood 'Pleasuredome'
