Mister Sixties

The Sixties in full swing at the Lowry. A major retrospective of the work of iconic photographer
Philip Townsend

Philip Townsend was at the heart of Swinging Sixties London, capturing iconic moments and figures like Mary Quant, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Grace Kelly, and Charlotte Rampling, to name a few. His lens documented an era in motion. Although he once considered attending art college, Philip admitted he couldn’t draw, so his mother sent him packing, to apprentice under a socialite photographer. Along the way, he took on other roles, including DJing at the Kray Twins’ nightclub. To say Philip lived an interesting life is a huge understatement. This major retrospective showcased his incredible work, including some never-before-seen photographs. I was involved in the exhibition design, and I personally handled the restoration and reproduction of remastered negatives for the event. The pink color came from Philip’s favorite pair of Converse All-Stars.