Man with the Golden Shutter
NORMSKI
His photos are icons of music history: Norman Anderson, known as Normski, documented both the early years of hip-hop in his hometown of London and the birth of techno in London and Detroit—not as an observer, but as part of the scene.
To mark the 60th birthday of the British-Jamaican photographer, photoSCHWEIZ, in collaboration with the Mondejar Gallery, is presenting a major retrospective.
Featuring images from the “golden age” of hip-hop, with artists who were unknown at the time—such as LL Cool J, Run-D.M.C., Public Enemy, N.W.A., Ice Cube, Goldie, Queen Latifah, De La Soul, Salt ’n’ Pepa, and Cypress Hill—all of whom would later become global superstars.
In doing so, this creative jack-of-all-trades—Normski is also a DJ, MC, and radio and TV host—documented not only rap culture but also the beginnings of three other pillars of hip-hop: DJing, graffiti, and breakdancing—in other words, the core of American youth culture.
“Many of my photos feature young Black men,” he says. “That’s because I understood these guys. I was one of them. Their journey felt like mine. I was interested in their world; we respected each other, and through our work together, I became the photographer I am today. I was lucky to always be there when new movements emerged that would go on to become global phenomena.”
In addition to the special exhibition, Normski will lead a workshop, be available for portfolio reviews, and give a talk at photoFORUM.
photoSCHOOL Workshop
Fri, Feb. 6, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
photoPORTFOLIO REVIEW
Fri, Feb. 6, 2026 | 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
photo BOOK SIGNING
Sat, Feb. 7, 2026 | 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
photoFORUM
Sat, Feb. 7, 2026 | 2:00 p.m.