Self by Hugh Bell
Thomas Allen Harris interviewed the photographer, Hugh Bell back in 2005 and Bell would become a part of our Emmy nominated documentary on the history of Black photographers, Through A Lens Darkly. We are excited that under the Gartenberg Media Enterprises‘ (GME) there is a commitment to resurrecting Bell’s career and legacy.
Mambo at the Paladium by Hugh Bell
“Hugh Bell was a renowned art and commercial photographer, who worked in New York City over the course of his entire professional career. Upon his death in 2012, his son-in-law, Richard Martha, was named Executor of the Estate of Hugh Bell. In 2014, GME was engaged on an exclusive basis by the Bell Estate to manage the collection of Hugh Bell’s photographs and to further the artist’s legacy.”
“GME is committed to resurrecting the career of this overlooked photographer, through licensing of his photographs, republishing his out-of-print books, mounting curated exhibitions, and in identifying a long-term repository for this significant collection of photographic works.”
“Bell’s lifelong passion for taking jazz photographs, often referred to as his “Jazz Giants” series, has been published in books and magazines. His jazz photographs have also graced the covers of innumerable vinyl jazz records.”
Billie Holiday by Hugh Bell
“He is most known for his images of the female figure. In 1970, a series of these portraits were published in Avant-garde magazine in a feature entitled, “Bell’s Belles”. Throughout this period, he also traveled to the West Indies, focusing on the region of his geographical heritage. He photographed carnivals in Trinidad and Haiti, and daily life in Antigua. He traveled as well to Brazil, where he took photographs of the local citizenry.”
Hugh Bell passed away on October 31, 2012. He left behind an extensive and wide-ranging photographic legacy that is now ready for rediscovery.
Click here to check out more stories about him, his galleries including Jazz/Spain/Afro-Caribbean and information for licensing.
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