Due to the phenomenal success of Pogus Caesar's photographic exhibition Muzik Kinda Sweet, Fazeley Studios are extending the show for another month until the end of April. The rare images of influential black music artists, including Stevie Wonder, Grace Jones, and Lee 'Scratch' Perry, have taken those visiting the exhibition on an extraordinary musical trip down memory lane.

Muzik Kinda Sweet

25 Years Of Sweet Music For City Photographer

Due to the phenomenal success of Pogus Caesar's photographic exhibition Muzik Kinda Sweet, Fazeley Studios are extending the show for another month until the end of April. The rare images of influential black music artists, including Stevie Wonder, Grace Jones, and Lee 'Scratch' Perry, have taken those visiting the exhibition on an extraordinary musical trip down memory lane.

"Seeing the public's reaction to the photographs is a pure delight - it's great to share my memories after all these years. Now the exhibition can be enjoyed by many more people" says Caesar.

The exhibition, Muzik Kinda Sweet: Photographs by Pogus Caesar 1985 - 2009, features 37 iconic images of A-list stars and influential musical figures captured, on and off stage, in and around Birmingham and London.

Uniquely shot in black and white on a Canon Sure Shot autofocus camera over the past 25 years, the photographs offer a stark alternative to the digital performance photography of today.

The silver gelatin print collection, drawn from Caesar's OOM Gallery archives, offers an evocative and nostalgic snapshot of the mid eighties through to present day - candid pictures on city streets contrasting with stageside moments illustrate not only the energy of live performance and of every day life but also the rich musical heritage of Birmingham.

Lucan Gray, owner and developer of Fazeley Studios said: "We are very happy to play host to Muzik Kinda Sweet for an additional month. In his pictures, Pogus has revealed all the raw energy around the city's music scene over the past thirty years and captured moments of its cultural history .

"Pogus has exhibited his other works in some of the finest international galleries so we are extremely pleased that he chose Fazeley Studios to show Muzik Kinda Sweet for the first time.

As the home of many of the region's best digital and creative companies, we are thrilled to be showcasing one of the region's best artistic talents. The exhibition has been extremely popular with all our visitors and we would encourage anyone who missed Pogus at our launch event to come along to Fazeley Studios for a viewing."

Muzik Kinda Sweet features rare shots from Stevie Wonder's 1989 sessions at Central Music Studios, legendary reggae producer Lee 'Scratch' Perry in full regalia, a playful Rita Marley wife of the late Bob Marley and the opening night of Grace Jones's triumphant 2009 UK tour at Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Other images on display include Jay-Z, Cameo, Roland Gift, Will Smith, the late Lynden David Hall, and reggae legends Burning Spear, Augustus Pablo.

Caesar is best known for his 35mm black and white photography and compelling montages, which he shoots on Canon Sure Shot cameras, purchased in the 1980's. The young Caesar developed a passion for music from listening to Roy Orbison, Duke Ellington and Nat King Cole on his parent's stereogram, and from later seeing touring reggae, soul, hip hop, funk, pop and jazz artists performing in the West Midlands before they become household names.

Most of Caesar's UK photography is based around his home city of Birmingham. His work includes documenting well-known personalities from music, film, sport and politics, including Jesse Jackson, Desmond Tutu and Julie Christie, as well as recording significant events such as the Handsworth riots, the Birmingham tornado and the regeneration of the Bullring.

Caesar has also visited places as diverse as South Africa, Jamaica, America, Albania and India to photograph people and their communities.


Speaking about his motivation for Muzik Kinda Sweet, Caesar said:

"From looking at record sleeves as a child growing up in Sparkbrook and Aston, to having the honour years later of being in the company of such great artists in Birmingham and beyond, I wanted to contribute to the musical legacy of Birmingham through my imagery."

"Muzik Kinda Sweet is dedicated not only to those who remember seeing Curtis Mayfield walking through the Bull Ring or watching Ike and Tina Turner performing at the Top Rank Club on Dale End but also to the younger generation who hear the influence of older musical artists in the sounds of today."

Fazeley Studios is a 1.25-acre collection of magnificent but previously derelict listed buildings fronting Fazeley Street, which have been restored to form 44 studio offices and event space for creative and digital companies. Purpose built for Śnew generationą businesses; it includes a high capacity, super fast internet system and WiFi brasserie, courtyard and winter garden. Launching soon are a yoga studio, mini gym, games room and Xbox arena.

Muzik Kinda Sweet is open to the public with free admission until 30 April 2009.


MUZIK KINDA SWEET
27 FEBRUARY - 30 APRIL
FAZELEY STUDIOS, FAZELEY ST, BIRMINGHAM B5 5SE , UNITED KINGDOM
FREE ADMISSION