This limited-edition trio of prints was compiled to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the launch of the Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) album released on the 12th of September 1980.

This session was the fifth that Duffy shot with David Bowie, Duffy had given up stills photography but David persuaded him to do one final album cover. As Duffy had closed his studio, the shoot was taken in Brian Duffy’s studio in Little Russell Street, London (later to become the Cartoon Museum). Brian assisted his father and shot the images for the PR campaign. The central image was used in the 7” singles released from the album and Brian has remastered the ’stamps’ around the edges. Originally Bowie had used a marker pen on the ‘stamps’ creating a graffiti look.

Bowie had requested costume designer Natasha Korniloff to make him "the most beautiful clown in the circus" and this Pierrot costume - referencing his work with mime artist Lindsay Kemp - was exhibited as part of the David Bowie Is exhibition. Richard Sarah was the makeup artist to Steve Strange of the Blitz Club and Steve made the introduction to Bowie.

Details:
• Limited edition of 500, hand-numbered in silver ink by Brian Duffy
• Embossed with the Duffy Archive London stamp and Duffy signature
• Mounted in silver

Last updated: 02/06/25

art print

artwork

David Bowie