Photographer Derek Ridgers work goes on display in new London exhibition

From a disheveled Johnny Depp to Snoop Dogg crouched, grimacing on the street, these images capture some of the world’s biggest stars at their unpolished best.

They are the work of British photographer Derek Ridgers, who has spent decades taking pictures of rock stars, rappers and A-list actors. 

Ridgers established himself documenting the flourishing subcultures of Britain’s 1980s underground scenes, before moving onto star-studded commissions for the likes of NME, Time Out, and The Face.

His distinctive documentary style and ability to get up close and personal with subjects has marked out his work as among the most important of records of the skinheads, goths and New Romantics, who defined a decade of British culture. 

Now his favourite photos, capturing everyone from celebrities to tattoed club-goers, will be published in a retrospective, Derek Ridgers: Photographs. 

The book will be launched next month with a three-day exhibition at the Truman Brewery, London.  

Johnny Depp and Shane MacGowan photographed at Holborn Studios, London, in 1996

Rapper Snoop Dogg, captured on a street in Holland Park, north London, in 1994

Rapper Snoop Dogg, captured on a street in Holland Park, north London, in 1994

Pop princess Kylie Minogue oozes sex appeal in a photo taken in Chalk Farm, London, 1994

Pop princess Kylie Minogue oozes sex appeal in a photo taken in Chalk Farm, London, 1994

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards photographed at The Savoy hotel, London, in 1985

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards photographed at The Savoy hotel, London, in 1985

Australian singer-songwriter Nick Cave in his signature shirt and suit, in Chalk Farm, 1997

Australian singer-songwriter Nick Cave in his signature shirt and suit, in Chalk Farm, 1997

Robbie Williams gives two fingers to the cameras in a snap from Brussels, 1996

Robbie Williams gives two fingers to the cameras in a snap from Brussels, 1996

Actor Richard E. Grant peers up at the camera from a street in Twickenham, London, in 1997

Actor Richard E. Grant peers up at the camera from a street in Twickenham, London, in 1997

Damon Albarn, best known from the band Blur, at Holborn Studios, London, in 1997

Damon Albarn, best known from the band Blur, at Holborn Studios, London, in 1997

Actor Tim Roth captured on a street in Brick Lane, east London, in 1985

Actor Tim Roth captured on a street in Brick Lane, east London, in 1985

Michael Stipe, of R.E.M. fame, is snapped by Ridgers in Athens, Georgia, in 1991

Michael Stipe, of R.E.M. fame, is snapped by Ridgers in Athens, Georgia, in 1991

Actor Gary Oldman in London, 1985, as he was beginning to make it big on the film scene 

Actor Gary Oldman in London, 1985, as he was beginning to make it big on the film scene 

Swedish singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry is captured in Kensal Rise, London, November 1998

Swedish singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry is captured in Kensal Rise, London, November 1998

Model and bodywork therapist Laurence Sessou, known for her body scarification and tattoos, in Brick Lane, east London, in 2015

Model and bodywork therapist Laurence Sessou, known for her body scarification and tattoos, in Brick Lane, east London, in 2015

Hairstylist Tuttii Fruittii, in his distinctive 'drag clown' look, in Deptford, east London, in 2017

Hairstylist Tuttii Fruittii, in his distinctive ‘drag clown’ look, in Deptford, east London, in 2017

Singers Nina Hagen and Lene Lovich, in Cavendish Squar​e Gardens, London, in 1987

Singers Nina Hagen and Lene Lovich, in Cavendish Squar​e Gardens, London, in 1987

Derek Ridgers: Photographs, published by Carpet Bombing Publishing, runs at the Truman Brewery from Friday 5 October – Sunday 7 October.

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