LISA LEONE’S ICONIC PHOTOGRAPHS IN FIRST SOLO EXHIBITION IN GERMANY

On view Thursday, October 6th through Saturday, November 12th

Opening Reception: Thursday Oct. 6th, 7pm–10pm

BERLIN — HVW8 Gallery Berlin presents How You Like Me Now?, a solo exhibition from photographer Lisa Leone. The show highlights the final period before hip-hop’s mainstream cultural influence and global expansion. These rarely exhibited photographs are both a documentation and personal exploration of the grit, audacity and raw creative spirit that has become the aesthetic of 80’s and 90’s hip-hop, its innovators, and the often harsh realism that fueled it.

Born in the Bronx and raised throughout New York City, Leone found herself in a unique position in the late 80’s to early 90’s to capture a behind-the-scenes perspective on the incomparable spirit of collaboration that sparked hip-hop’s early artistic triumphs.

“To see a young Nas in the studio with Q-Tip, Premier and Large Professor was not only inspiring, it is the decisive moment,” Leone recalls of the studio recording sessions of Nas’ landmark debut album Illmatic. Her photos from these recording sessions appear to be the only existing visual documentation of this iconic moment.

The exhibition is also a haunting portrait of the city itself, the setting for a diverse cast of characters trying to find acceptance, acknowledgment and community, captured at the tipping point between the devastation of the 70’s and the rebirth of the 90’s. Leone captures the spirit of an era when a city, fresh cultural voices, and a group of young artists all began to turn toward the future.

How You Like Me Now? captures nascent moments from the hip-hop generation’s biggest stars: Lauryn Hill, KRS-One, Mary J. Blige, Wyclef Jean, Nas, Biggie, Rosie Perez, The Roots, Queen Latifah, Snoop and many others.

The exhibition at HVW8 Gallery Berlin will feature unique presentations of these timeless images, giving viewers a rare glimpse to a time that will never be what it was.

Supported By:
adidas originals

About Lisa Leone

Bronx born Lisa Leone began her career as a photographer shooting musicians and personalities for British Vogue and VIBE. She transitioned to cinematography, shooting music videos for artists such as TLC, D’Angelo and The Brand New Heavies.

A few years later, Lisa began work on Stanley Kubrick’s last film “Eyes Wide Shut”, where Kubrick became her mentor. “Exactly” was Leone’s debut film as writer, director and cinematographer, with Rosie Perez (Fearless) and Sarita Choudhury (Homeland). Other films she shot and co-directed include the acclaimed documentary “Just For Kicks” and “Woinshet” with Marisa Tomei.

In May 2012 her solo photography show, Then, opened at HVW8 Art +Design Gallery in Los Angeles. The show chronicles the beginnings of NYC hip-hop in the 80’s/90’s. The show traveled to Milan’s Galleria Patricia Armocida and The Andenken Gallery in Amsterdam.

In September 2014 her solo exhibit, Here I Am, opened at The Bronx Museum. It was accompanied with a book, of the same title, published by Minor Matters Books.

2016 brought Lisa to Dubai for a solo exhibit and to Los Angeles for a group show at the Leica Gallery.

Lisa serves as Vice President of Artistic Programs for the National YoungArts Foundation.

About HVW8 Gallery Berlin

HVW8 Gallery Berlin was established in 2014 by HVW8 Gallery co-founders Tyler Gibney and Addison Liu. HVW8 Gallery was founded in 2006 in Los Angeles with a focus on supporting fine art and avant-garde graphic design. HVW8 fosters artistic visions at the intersection of art, music and design, and collaborates with an international community of artists. Emerging and established artists such as Cody Hudson, Jerry Hsu, Jean André, Atiba Jefferson, Brian Roettinger and Haw-lin Services have exhibited their works in Berlin at HVW8. More info at hvw8.com.

Gallery Media Contact

Jenne Grabowski, Gallery Manager +49(0)179 – 488 1004 / jenne@hvw8.com

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HVW8 Gallery Berlin
Linienstraße 161 10115 Berlin