The Athlone Art Gallery in the Village@Burgess will host a one man show of late 1970s and early 1980s band photographs by James Mahon.
The exhibition will be opened by Richard Evans in The Athlone Art Gallery on Lloyd’s Lane, on Friday, July 28, at 6pm.
Richard is a college friend of James and a founder member of the Virgin Prunes being a guitarist with the band from 1977 to 1984. He was also an early guitarist for the band that became U2.
James’ best friend in national school was Bono, who suggested that James offer his photographic services to Hot Press while he was a student in Trinity College. This resulted in freelance work for hot press and access to some of the hot bands of the time!
The early 1980s Ireland saw high unemployment, mass emigration yet an unparalleled music scene, filled with anger, rebellion, hope, creativity and emotion. James Mahon was at the centre of this, capturing the raw energy of these bands which we have correlated into this exhibition.
The exhibition consists of black and white photographs of U2 and the Virgin Prunes in the early days, also Led Zeppelin, B52s, XTC, The Clash, The Stranglers, and ACDC.
