Lisa S. Johnson, Photographer & Author of 108 Rock Star Guitars, Will Present Legendary Rockstar Guitar Photographs at MIAMI X CONTEMPORARY ART – CURATED BY AC GALLERY
MIAMI, FL (Monday November 13, 2017) – On Wednesday, December 6, 2017, Lisa S. Johnson, photographer & author of 108 Rock Star Guitars, will launch her Miami Art Week 2017 exhibition at the AC Gallery showcase in Wynwood. Johnson is known for photographing guitars in a manner which captures the souls and stories of their rock star owners. Since the release of her last book, Johnson has been working on her 108 Rock Stars Guitars Volume Two edition which is scheduled to release Winter 2018. In anticipation of the second volume’s release, Johnson will be revealing two of the book’s never before seen photos of B.B. King’s beloved ‘Lucille’ guitars.
The first photo shows B.B. King’s 1998 Custom ES-335 Gibson Lucille with Diamonds. He had many Lucille’s over the years. The first one was an inexpensive Gibson L-30 archtop that he almost lost in a fire in 1949. As the legend goes, during one of King’s early performances, two men got into a fight over a woman named Lucille and knocked over a barrel of kerosene. As the hall burst into flames and the building was being evacuated, the bluesman realized he had left his $30 guitar inside and ran back in to save it. The next day he named the L-30—and every guitar he subsequently owned—Lucille, as a reminder to never do something as stupid as run into a burning building ever again. He played this brand-new guitar for the first time later that evening. It has two diamonds embedded in the headstock, dotting each “I” in Gibson and Lucille. It can most famously be seen the music video for “Riding with the King,” featuring Eric Clapton driving and King riding in the back of a convertible playing this very special girl.
The second photo shows B.B. King’s 2003 Custom Gibson Lucille #3. There were many Lucille guitars over the years, but this one B.B. King kept at home and was his “go to” on the road. He regularly played it in over 200 shows a year which caused wear and tear that is beautifully captured in Lisa’s photography style.
Other photographs in the exhibit from Johnson’s first book include, Eric Clapton’s 1956 Fender Stratocaster “Brownie” which was used to record one of his most beloved songs – “Layla,” Lou Reed’s Bolin NS Guitar, flaunting its sensual, ethereal curves that Lisa captured using Kodak’s Color Infrared film, and another stellar highlight to be featured in her 108 Rock Star Guitars, Vol 2 edition, Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 Fender Stratocaster used during his 1969 Woodstock performance, that now permanently resides at The Experience Music Project Museum in Seattle, WA. A playlist, curated by Lisa S. Johnson, will be playing songs of the guitarists featured in the show by Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Lou Reed, and B.B.King.
108 Rock Star Guitars is a compilation of Johnson’s stunningly personal and intimate portraits of the cherished guitars owned by the legends of rock. It is a music and fine-art photography aficionado’s private backstage pass to witness up-close these six-stringed works of art. From the guitars of Les Paul to Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, Nancy Wilson, Bonnie Raitt, Chrissie Hynde, and many others, this ultra-luxe, coffee table photo book reveals—through Johnson’s signature macrophotography style—the intimate details and personal touches that embody the true spirit of the musician and that few—save for their stage crew—have seen from this perspective.
“I am excited to be a part of the Miami X Contemporary Art Exhibit at Art Week Miami alongside other esteemed Los Angeles artists. Thrilled to be showing new works that will feature in 108 Rock Star Guitars, Vol 2 honoring the life and musical contributions of the late B.B. King whose importance in musical history is iconic as the King of Blues, among other late musicians, Jimi Hendrix, Lou Reed as well as Eric Clapton’s treasured 1956 Fender Stratocaster “Brownie”, that now resides at The Experience Music Project in Seattle, WA.” said Johnson.
WHEN: December 6 – 10, 2017
Show Hours Daily: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
WHERE: MIAMI X CONTEMPORARY ART
WYNWOOD – 226 NW 22ND LN, MIAMI, FL 33127
HOW: Open to public with ticket purchase
RSVP gallery@artistscorner.us to attend. Inquirers will then be emailed an opportunity to purchase tickets. There is a $50.00 All Day/Evening option or $35.00/Day.
ABOUT LISA S. JOHNSON
Lisa S. Johnson grew up in an artistic family, where she fell in love with melody and imagery and pursued a career in photography. After a successful 10-year stint working at Eastman Kodak, she met the owner of a vintageguitar shop in Memphis, Tennessee, and began exclusively photographing guitars. She now lives in Las Vegas. Bio available upon request.
ABOUT AC GALLERY
With over 50 art exhibitions spanning five years, Artists Corner (AC Gallery) is celebrated as the premier showcase for established and emerging artists in Hollywood. AC Gallery opened in Los Angeles in 2012, and consistently curates high quality art exhibitions. The exhibitions and receptions garner extensive critical acclaim and media coverage with over one million unique annual impressions across digital and web platforms. For more information, visit www.artistscorner.us.
