The first extensive exhibition of American photographer David Armstrong (1954-2014) showcases nearly 100 portraits, a selection of landscape images, and around 300 contact prints from the 1970s to early 1990s. The exhibition captures a bygone New York, presenting it as a haven for artists, poets, musicians, and bohemians, including notable figures like Cookie Mueller, John Waters, Nan Goldin, and Vincent Gallo.
Armstrong’s work documents his generation, depicting an attitude to life marked by rebellion, queerness, and punk culture. His portraits convey a deep intimacy and beauty, reflecting a time when being on the fringes was celebrated. Armstrong’s approach, influenced by classical painting, captures the essence of his subjects without diminishing their individuality, focusing on the commonality within a generation.
The exhibition also includes landscape photographs that contrast with the portraits, offering a melancholic and timeless reflection of the AIDS epidemic’s impact. Armstrong’s art is conservative, celebrating beauty and authenticity amidst a backdrop of excess and scarcity. His oeuvre, comprising portraits, blurred landscapes, and commercial fashion photography, marks the end of an era, immortalizing the figure of the outsider with quiet irony and a sense of impending change.
Curated by Daniel Baumann and Wade Guyton, the exhibition provides a comprehensive view of Armstrong’s work, emphasizing his influence and the enduring beauty of his photography. The exhibition runs until September 15, 2024.
David Armstrong / Kunsthalle Zürich. Exhibition walkthrough and interviews with Lisa Love (Trustee of the David Armstrong Estate); Colleen Doyle (Archivist); and Wade Guyton (Artist and Curator). Zürich (Switzerland), June 7, 2024.
