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Patti Smith: American Artist
A stunning collection of photographs from Frank Stefanko featuring the Godmother of Punk herself, iconic musician and author Patti Smith.
"There I was sitting in a booth at the co-op of Glassboro State College, a bucolic school in the farmlands of South Jersey. . . Suddenly, the double doors of the co-op swung open and standing there in the vacuum created was an incredible apparition, a vision in a white leather coat with long, jet-black hair flowing down her back. She moseyed in like the bad guy walking into a saloon in an old western movie. This was the first time I set eyes on Patti Smith, and I was captivated.”
So begins Frank Stefanko’s wonderfully personal photographic tale of his friendship and artistic collaboration with Patti Smith. Stefanko’s photographs and his warm, personal recollections show us an amazing young woman, long before she became Patti Smith, the cultural icon. Through images and words, we follow her search for a unique voice—from the early days of the Chelsea Hotel to spoken word at the St. Mark’s Poetry Project to the release of her seminal album, Horses , and so much more.
These photographs, along with the Stefanko’s first-hand account, capture an incredible era from the mid-1960s to the late- 1970s when a whole new genre of music and art was being born. Prior to the release of this collection, many of these stunning portraits had never before been published. They appear here in high-quality quadratone reproduction, highlighting Stefanko’s artistry and his uncanny ability to capture his subject’s inner spirit. Memorabilia from Smith’s personal collection adds to this rare and intimate look at the emergence of one of America’s most respected artists.
With an opening poem from Patti Smith that sets an evocative mood, an introduction by Lenny Kaye, Smith’s longtime guitarist, and a compelling afterword by editor Chris Murray, this book sets the reader on a journey from small-town New Jersey and highlights the enigmatic artist’s triumphant career.
"There I was sitting in a booth at the co-op of Glassboro State College, a bucolic school in the farmlands of South Jersey. . . Suddenly, the double doors of the co-op swung open and standing there in the vacuum created was an incredible apparition, a vision in a white leather coat with long, jet-black hair flowing down her back. She moseyed in like the bad guy walking into a saloon in an old western movie. This was the first time I set eyes on Patti Smith, and I was captivated.”
So begins Frank Stefanko’s wonderfully personal photographic tale of his friendship and artistic collaboration with Patti Smith. Stefanko’s photographs and his warm, personal recollections show us an amazing young woman, long before she became Patti Smith, the cultural icon. Through images and words, we follow her search for a unique voice—from the early days of the Chelsea Hotel to spoken word at the St. Mark’s Poetry Project to the release of her seminal album, Horses , and so much more.
These photographs, along with the Stefanko’s first-hand account, capture an incredible era from the mid-1960s to the late- 1970s when a whole new genre of music and art was being born. Prior to the release of this collection, many of these stunning portraits had never before been published. They appear here in high-quality quadratone reproduction, highlighting Stefanko’s artistry and his uncanny ability to capture his subject’s inner spirit. Memorabilia from Smith’s personal collection adds to this rare and intimate look at the emergence of one of America’s most respected artists.
With an opening poem from Patti Smith that sets an evocative mood, an introduction by Lenny Kaye, Smith’s longtime guitarist, and a compelling afterword by editor Chris Murray, this book sets the reader on a journey from small-town New Jersey and highlights the enigmatic artist’s triumphant career.
164 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 29, 2021
Absolutely stunning! An over-sized collection of mostly (B&W) photography of Mz Patti in her early days of being the rock diva that she is. Candid & posed shots, at home and on the road. A prized possession, for sure!
Reread October’21
A photographic decade-long biography of the incredible Patti, starting from the early 70’s. Presented in “high-quality quadratone” in posed and un portraits, this quintessential Goddess of punk is hailed.
Early reminiscing of first meeting in college and the years spent in awe of Patti’s cornucopia of talents begin after a forward from Patti and into from Lenny Kaye.
Chaptered by sessions, we get backstory of often humorous doings and always admirable recollections. It’s obvious there has been a strong, lasting friendship of trust between these two.
A lustrous addition to any Patti collection. Lord, but she is beautiful!
Reread October’21
A photographic decade-long biography of the incredible Patti, starting from the early 70’s. Presented in “high-quality quadratone” in posed and un portraits, this quintessential Goddess of punk is hailed.
Early reminiscing of first meeting in college and the years spent in awe of Patti’s cornucopia of talents begin after a forward from Patti and into from Lenny Kaye.
Chaptered by sessions, we get backstory of often humorous doings and always admirable recollections. It’s obvious there has been a strong, lasting friendship of trust between these two.
A lustrous addition to any Patti collection. Lord, but she is beautiful!
July 26, 2010
The more time I spend with Patti Smith, the more awesome she becomes. Stefanko's photographs and brief comments on Patti and their time back in the 70s are really wonderful at capturing both the artist and the things she's interested in. This book sheds further light on the subjects of Patti Smith's own art. I think this comes from Stefanko and Smith's friendship, which is as long as their careers as artists. These pictures show them interact with each other and their environment in a way that just feels good and important. These photo shoots feel like they really matter, which is how Patti Smith's stuff always feels to me. These moments meant something. I really like that.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews