Greetings from Asbury Park: Philippe Garner

Hamiltons is delighted to reveal another facet of Philippe Garner’s extensive archive of images, ‘Greetings from Asbury Park’.

Available as gelatin silver prints in two sizes: 12 x 16 in (30.5 x 40.6 cm) and 20 x 24 in. (61 x 50.8 cm), this series explores a music-related theme.

As Philippe explains: ‘Asbury Park, New Jersey, the seaside town immortalised in the songs of Bruce Springsteen, became the focus of two trips I made in the winters of 1989 and 1990. Captivated by his music since I first saw him in concert on 4th July 1985, my objective was to discover and document the emblematic sites of this then run-down resort. The raking winter light served me well. A few of the resulting images were published at the time as a feature in a serious Springsteen fan magazine, For True Rockers Only. Beyond that, they have lain dormant for thirty-five years. I am delighted to share a selection from the portfolio in the virtual exhibition presented by Hamiltons Gallery, London.’

Garner has enjoyed a long career as an auction specialist in the fields of photographs and 20th century decorative arts and design. He joined Sotheby’s in 1970 after graduating in French and Latin from Bedford College, London. He was instrumental in establishing the modern auction market for photographs. He joined Christie’s in 2004, retiring from his full-time commitments as a deputy chairman in 2016 to become a consultant to the firm.

Since his childhood, Garner has been fascinated by many aspects of the visual and performing arts. As a consequence, his specific knowledge as a specialist in the history of photography is supported by a wide and rich culture. All this has served to inform and refine his discriminating eye, not only within his professional activity but in the passion that he has invested through the decades in making photographs – a passion that he had, until very recently, kept private.