Dave Benett
Photographed by Erica Bergsmeds
Dave Benett, the famous celebrity photographer stepped in front of Blowout’s camera lens dressed all dapper in black posing for a series of images by Erica Bergsmeds at JD Malat Gallery which is currently representing his first exhibition titled, ‘Great Shot, Kid’, Co-curated by Dylan Jones.
He tells us stories from his life, one more mesmerising than the other and the stories behind some of his iconic shots. He chose the exhibition name “Great Shot, Kid” after an early 1980s encounter with the famous war photographer Don McCullin… Benett was taking a picture of skinheads in Southend when he heard a voice behind him say those words that came to mean so much to him. Since then he has shot some of the most glamorous stars in the world but the most impressive, he says, is without doubt Nelson Mandela.
Dave Benett, born in Mauritius in 1958, began his career in the Seventies, specialising in news and sports photography before concentrating exclusively on the London party scene. Armed with a Porsche and a Nikon camera Mr. Benett was one of the hardest-working news photographers in town, reporting on everything from the Brixton riots to high-profile trials at the Old Bailey to opening nights at West End premieres. By 1987 Showbiz reporting entered centre stage and Benett became the Evening Standard’s arts and entertainment photographer, a position he has held ever since. Benett also won Celebrity Photographer of the Year Award from the UK Picture Editors’ Guild in 2011 and 2013.
During his forty-year career, Benett has created over 1,000,000 entertainment images for the leading UK national newspapers of all major British names, ranging from HRH Queen Elizabeth II to the Queen of Pop, Madonna. He is responsible for some of the most iconic pictures of the past thirty years, from Liz Hurley in that Versace dress to Liza Minnelli and Princess Diana enjoying a night out together. Due to the exclusivity of his imagery, Benett is a regular contributor to the pages of high fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Tatler and now we’re honoured to have him grace the pages of Blowout Magazine.
Ask any celebrity who one of the most trusted, respected and talented photographers in show business is - and they’ll all give you the same answer: Dave Benett. Kate Moss cannot do a media photo call without him; the Rolling Stones demand him inside their private parties; Princess Diana trusted him implicitly; Tom Cruise always asks for him on the red carpet and Nelson Mandela even invited him to shoot him at his Cape Town home. Only Benett has the chutzpah to ask Her Majesty the Queen to move out the way so he can get a better shot!
The award-winning Benett doesn’t stand in the pen on the edge of the red carpet; he’s inside the VIP rooms, the green rooms and the dressing rooms – all at the talent’s request. Benett’s eyes have launched careers, immortalised icons and broken some of the biggest stories in show business. His shiny, shimmering and seductive shots – splashed across the front pages of newspapers and the society pages of magazines - capture the zeitgeist of our times.
This exhibition will mark 40 years in the industry with a celebration of the glamour of London parties and the moments that make London so unique, including some of his most famous shots as well as images never seen before. It is the first time that Benett’s work will be on display for all to view. The exhibition will offer an insight into his entire career as well as exclusive footage of historical and pop cultural events.
JD Malat Gallery specialises in contemporary art and champions a broad spectrum of emerging and international contemporary artists. The programme consists of an array of exciting artists supported by year-round exhibitions and contemporary art fairs.
‘I’m always happy to see Dave’s face at a party or event, I know I’m in safe hands. He’s the best.’
– Kate Moss
For further info and enquiries please contact:
info@jdmalat.com
Location:
30 Davies St, Mayfair, London, W1K 4NB
Instagram @Davebenett
