HERMAN SELLESLAGS

Being a war child, Herman Selleslags became a street rat saved by his father’s photo camera.
Jazz, counterculture, rock’n roll, social awareness, art, and HUMO(ur) became the ingredients of his depth of field.

Was it a dose of ADHD and a little autism that directed him towards a meaningful look around the corners? An environment where moving scenes lead to an artful behind-the-curtain reflection?

Guided by the influence of Richard Avedon’s artistry, Henri Cartier-Bresson’s philosophy, and the irony of Elliott Erwitt, Herman became one of – if not – the most important Belgian photographers of the twentieth century.
He landed in a space where content and artistry resulted in a gigantic yet chaotic archive filled with cult, street, and art photography, all provided with an authentic personal touch.

Up close and personal with Dizzy Gillespie, Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Zappa, Eddy Merckx, Jacques Brel, Gina Lollobrigida, Marvin Gaye, Lou Reed, Jean-Luc Godard, Fela Kuti, The Beatles, Patrice Lumumba, Bob Marley,
The Rolling Stones, Italian immigrant miners, Roy Orbison, Iggy Pop, King Leopold III, Dolce Paola, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Tom Waits, Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin, Little Richard, Mathias & Julien Schoenaerts,
or Tamino—just to name a few.

In tribute to Herman’s legacy and desire, we are currently digging into the Selleslags archive that contains approximately 15 million images (including those of father Rik and son Jan).
A huge endeavor that submerges photographic diamonds on a regular basis—photographic gems that are meant to be seen yet have rarely seen the light of day.
Not all famous, influential characters in extraordinary circumstances, but also ordinary people in extraordinary settings, strong street photography, Jewish community insights,
light studies, or artistic color experiments…

On a regular basis, we will drop one-time limited edition print runs, starting in the world of music. We are music, vinyl, and photography junkies after all.

HERMAN’S FAVOURITE BAND

Herman was a cultural omnivore with no special focus in music, yet one particular band enjoyed his special attention: The Talking Heads!

Herman photographed the band from an early stage, such as at one of their first abroad shows in 1977 in Brussels, co-headlining with the Ramones (whom he previously photographed in the Brooklyn streets in ’76).
He also captured their first Werchter appearance in 1978 and continued photographing the band throughout their career—especially David Byrne, whom he last saw at Gent Jazz 2018.
Herman was over the moon about this show!

PRINT OFFER #001

In tribute to Herman, we’d like to present a limited edition run of five numbered prints by Herman Selleslags that showcase his collaborative spirit with David Byrne.

One format only: an exclusive numbered print run of five copies (no reprints).
73 cm x 95 cm image size. Certified & Estate stamped. Professionally printed on Hahnemühle 180 gr. FineArt paper.

For more info, please contact us at thebasementzonderling@gmail.com