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Acclaimed American Artist and Renowned British Photographer Collaborate to Commemorate Legendary Rock Musicians with The Knabe Mankowitz Collection.
American fine artist, Walter Knabe, and renowned British rock and roll photographer, Gered Mankowitz, have collaborated to create the Knabe Mankowitz Collection a limited edition artwork series commemorating six legendary rock musicians. Included are Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Annie Lennox, and Billy Idol.
Masters of their craft, Knabe and Mankowitz worked together to create fine art featuring historic portrait photographs taken by Gered in the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s. “His photos capture the unique essence of these musicians during pivotal, historic times in their careers, while on tour, in the recording studio or just living life. Gered and I are storytellers. We wanted to tell a story of each of these musicians because they have influenced millions of lives for multiple generations”, says Knabe. The two accomplished this using colors and intricate textures that preserved the integrity of the photos. This enabled each piece to embody emotion, energy, and details of London’s fashion in these time periods, all while retaining the personal expression of these musicians.
Available now: Jimi '67, Paul '67, Mick '65 and Keith '82.
To read more about the Knabe Mankowitz Collection, download the media release below.
To Arrange Interviews, Access to Artists, and Artwork Photography
Contact Kelle Knabe, Kelle@walterknabe.com
Download Media Release
The first in the collection is Jimi Hendrick, titled Jimi ’67. The edition of 200 was created using a 1967 portrait photo shot in black and white by Mankowitz titled "Jacket & Hands".
Walter and Gered worked together to create artwork that preserved the integrity of Gered’s photo – in which Hendrix was wearing one of his iconic, fashion-forward military style jackets – while capturing his essence and the London style of the 1960’s.
The 24” x 24” piece is signed by both Knabe and Mankowitz. It blends Knabe’s signature hand crafted screen printing and hand painted detail using 18 paint colors intricately layered on hand torn heavy, tactile paper.
The second in the collection is Paul McCartney, titled Paul ‘67. The edition of 200 was created using a 1967 color portrait photo shot by Mankowitz. during a Marianne Faithfull recording session. Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones was producing the record, and Paul McCartney came by the studio to show his support of the project.
Walter and Gered collaborated to create artwork that captured the “Paul McCartney look” along with this electric time period by including fluorescent pin stripes on the jacket and fashioning the Union Jack scarf to be vivid and eccentric. While portraying the 1960’s London look, they wanted to retain the natural and genuine attitude that Paul brought to this casual photo.
The 27” x 18” piece is signed by both Knabe and Mankowitz. It blends Knabe’s signature hand crafted screen printing and hand painted detail using 16 paint colors intricately layered on heavy, tactile paper.
The third in the collection is Mick Jagger, titled Mick ‘65.The edition of 200 was created using a color photo shot by Mankowitz at RCA studios in Hollywood, California at the end of the Rolling Stones tour in 1965. The tour, which was a great success, is reflected in Jagger’s smiling face.
Walter and Gered worked together to create artwork that reflected not only the 196 “Peace and Love” vibe, but also captured the classic, young Mick. A fluorescent paisley shirt, accented pink lips and a slight upturned smirk embodies the iconic look of the blue-eyed Jagger.
The 18” x 27” piece is signed by both Knabe and Mankowitz. It blends Knabe’s signature hand crafted screen printing and hand painted detail using 14 paint colors intricately layered on heavy, tactile paper.
The fourth in the collection is Keith Richards, titled Keith ‘82. The edition of 200 was created using a gritty portrait photo shot by Mankowitz, which was included in the London Observer magazine’s feature on the Rolling Stones’ forthcoming 1982 World Tour.
Walter and Gered worked together to capture Keith’s gritty rock and roll look. The muted lavender background and copper patina green jacket speak to Keith’s electric, ethereal nature. His iconic love of skulls is represented on the necklace, while the scratchy nature of his face embodies his charismatic, personal nature.
The 24” x 24” piece is signed by both Knabe and Mankowitz. It blends Knabe’s signature hand crafted screen printing and hand painted detail, using 13 paint colors intricately layered on heavy, tactile paper.
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Acclaimed American multi-disciplinary fine artist, painter and silk screen printer whose work includes paintings, limited edition artwork, fabrics, wall coverings and licensed home designs.
“Gered and I began meeting via video calls to discuss how we might work together. He lives in the U.K.; I live in the U.S. Two different worlds collided, and our ideas clicked. He is incredibly talented and has shot numerous iconic rock-and-roll photos. The unexpected collaboration has been amazing during what has been a very difficult time for the world,” Knabe says.
Renowned English photographer who began working in the U.K. music industry at a time when it needed mould breaking images, producing some of the most iconic and widely known portraits.
“I was so delighted when Walter first approached me with the proposal that we collaborate on a silkscreen project. His work is amazing, and his expertise in the craft of print making is second to none, so I jumped at the chance to join him and create something new,” says Mankowitz.
To Arrange Interviews, Access to Artists, and Artwork Photography
Contact Kelle Knabe, Kelle@walterknabe.com
