The SPACE Art Gallery Presents: Jay Schwartz's Silver Gelatin Photographs from the New Wave and Punk Era, 1977-1980
Philadelphia, PA — The SPACE Art Gallery is thrilled to announce a landmark exhibition showcasing the evocative and raw silver gelatin photography of Jay Schwartz, chronicling the electric punk and new wave scene in Philadelphia from 1977 to 1980.
This extraordinary collection captures a transformative moment in rock history, offering a rare glimpse into the heart of a cultural revolution. Including Talking Heads, The Ramones, The Jam, The B-52’s, and more.
Schwartz's photography and writing appeared in New York Rocker, Trouser Press, and various local and regional publications, including Philadelphia's first punk fanzine, Slit Your Wrists. By 1979, at just 21 years old, Schwartz convinced Hot Club owner David Carroll to hire him as the club’s publicist, despite having no formal experience. This behind-the-scenes access allowed Schwartz to capture nearly 75 influential bands during these formative years, preserving a raw and authentic visual record of a vital shift in the rock landscape. Many of these images are being revealed to the public for the very first time.
The Lightbox Film Center and Secret Cinema’s Jay Schwartz have teamed up to present a unique program of video created during the first years of Philadelphia's punk/new wave music scene. The centerpiece of the program is a previously unseen 25-minute documentary shot at Philly's Artemis nightclub, featuring very early footage of L.A. band X, storied WXPN DJ Lee Paris, and club owner David Carroll. Also shown will be Super 8 footage of the Cramps at the Hot Club, rock videos and TV appearances from early local bands, and more. The videos shown will span the years 1977 through 1980 -- the period when Philadelphia's legendary venue the Hot Club was the nexus of the local punk and new wave scene.
