Overview
Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, The Mighty Boosh, Frida Kahlo: they're just some of the faces that've graced exhibitions around Australia in 2023. The next to join them is Amy Winehouse, in a showcase that's doing what documentary Amy also dedicated some of its frames to: stepping back a couple of decades to the beginning of the 'Back to Black' and 'Rehab' singer's career.
When Winehouse was 19, photographer Charles Moriarty was requested by a friend to take some snaps of the then-unknown talent. They're the images that Amy, Before Frank will display. More than 30 will feature — and if you're wondering where the exhibition's name comes from, it references Winehouse's debut album Frank, with the photos covered hailing from before that record dropped.
When Winehouse was in front of his lens, Irish photographer Moriarty didn't know what'd follow for the performer — the fame and success, nor her passing in 2011. The session clearly worked out well because Moriarty also shot the cover art for Frank, and became friends with the singer.
"It's time for people to know the girl I knew; Amy before the fame, Amy before Frank" said Moriarty about his exhibition, which heads to Australia for a two-city tour this spring.
To check out Amy, Before Frank, fans will need to head to Sydney's M2 Gallery from Wednesday, October 18–Sunday, October 22 or Melbourne's @14 Gallery from Wednesday, November 1–Sunday, November 5. That timing couldn't be more perfect, given that Frank — which includes the singles 'Stronger Than Me', 'Take the Box' and 'In My Bed' — released two decades ago in October.
Moriarty is coming to Australia with the exhibition, chatting in both Sydney (on Saturday, October 21) and Melbourne (on Saturday, November 4) about his work and Winehouse.
AMY, BEFORE FRANK AUSTRALIAN DATES:
Wednesday, October 18–Sunday, October 22 — M2 Gallery, 4/450 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, Sydney
Wednesday, November 1–Sunday, November 5 — @14 Gallery, 14 Langridge Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
Amy, Before Frank will display in Sydney in October 2023 and Melbourne in November 2023 — head to the exhibition website for further details.
Images: Charles Moriarty.