David Bowie, Scary Monsters and Super Creeps - 40th Anniversary, 2020

This signed limited edition triptych print has been compiled to celebrate the 40th Anniversary launch of the Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) album released on the 12th September 1980.

The Scary Monsters session was the fifth session that Duffy shot with David Bowie, Duffy had given up stills photography but David persuaded Duffy to do one final album cover with him. As Duffy had closed his own studio the shoot was taken in Chris Duffy’s studio in Little Russell Street, London (later to become the Cartoon Museum). Chris assisted his father and shot the images for the PR campaign.

Bowie had requested costume designer Natasha Korniloff to make him ’the most beautiful clown in the circus’ and this Pierrot costume - referencing his work with mime artist Lindsay Kemp - was exhibited as part of the David Bowie is exhibition. Richard Sharah was the make up artist introduced to Bowie by Steve Strange of the Blitz Club. Bowie describes this album as ‘wrapping up the 70’s’

The central image in this layout was used in the 7” single released from the album and Chris has remastered the ’stamps’ around the edges. David Bowie originally drew on the exterior stamps of Duffy’s images and Chris has used a combination of his father’s images along with his own images which were taken for the accompanying press and public relations campaign.

Collector's Note:

This image is available as an ESTATE AUTHORIZED limited edition.

The Duffy Archive selected this image to be released as an Estate Edition after Duffy's death in 2010.

The front of each ESTATE photograph bears the official Duffy Archive seal embossed on the lower left. Duffy’s ghosted signature is also embossed on the front of the print along with Chris’s own signature on the lower right. All prints are signed and authenticated on the rear by Chris Duffy with full print details including a unique reference number. Each print is also issued a certificate of authenticity.