Proud Galleries stages compelling shows by legendary photographers who continue to capture the most iconic people, moments and trends defining pop culture.
OFF STAGE / featuring Erroll Jones' My Mates' Band | The Prodigy Collection
Dates / Friday 5 April to Saturday 25 May 2025 / London WC2N 6BP / Tuesday to Saturday 10 to 6pm / photography@proud.co.uk / Free Entry
About / Exhibition
Proud Galleries presents OFF STAGE featuring the collections of Alan Chapman, David Magnus and Erroll Jones. A reportage photography exhibition that invites the viewer to delve into the world of celebrity and music rockstars off stage, behind the scenes, and on the move. The triple show explores the relationship and dynamics of the photographers and their subject matters under more challenging, unusual, and intimate contexts, rather than capturing them while performing or in controlled studio environments. OFF STAGE groups together these organic encounters and photo sessions, bringing to life a whole new dimension and visual narrative on how we look at the modern icons we all love.
My Mates’ Band series depicts the early days of the legendary English electronic dance music band The Prodigy, as captured by photographer Erroll Jones. As a keen photographer and good friend of Maxim and their manager Ziggy, Erroll would often bring his camera along to their early gigs, unsuspecting of the level of fame they would eventually achieve. At the time the photographs were taken, the band was relatively unknown outside of the rave circuit. When making prints in the college darkroom, other students would often ask Erroll about the subjects of his works, to which he would respond: ‘It’s just my mates’ band’. Shot entirely on film, both medium format and 35mm, the series comprises a collection of never-before-seen images of the band backstage and on tour, offering up an intimate behind the scenes glimpse of one of the most iconic artist groups to date.
‘I’m in the back of a car on my way home from a rave. The driver is my mate Ziggy. Sharkey, my housemate is in the passenger seat and in the back with me is Keith and maybe one other. Keith hands Ziggy a tape, of his mate's (Liam) music to play. He said that he, Sharkey and Leeroy were going to be the dancers for Liam's band, and asked Ziggy if he would consider managing them. Ziggy plays the tape and seemingly loves it, saying it was brilliant and he could see this being massive. I was really into House music at the time and have to confess I didn't really like Liam's tape, and distinctly remember saying to Ziggy when we got out the car, ‘you didn't really mean that did you?’ He said, ‘Of course I did, this is the future.’ Needless to say he was right.' Erroll Jones
Proud Galleries Director / Javier Robledo
Proud Galleries Co-Director / Brad Dean
March 2024 / London, United Kingdom