Ricochet: David Bowie 1983—An Intimate Portrait

In this excellent retrospective, photographer O’Regan creates a visual record of Bowie’s 1983 Serious Moonlight Tour. As the tour’s official photographer, O’Regan developed a close friendship with Bowie, resulting in intimate snapshots that provide nuanced perspectives of the singer, including photos of him talking with photographer Helmut Newton while wearing a bathrobe, taking cigarette breaks, or on strolls throughout various cities. Meanwhile, images of Bowie performing in front of thousands of cheering fans in stadiums in Canada, New Zealand, and Sweden capture the intensity of his performances. Other photos—of Bowie mingling with Mick Jagger, Andy Warhol, and John McEnroe—show a jubilant artist at the height of his popularity and commercial success. The standout images depict quieter moments, as when Bowie lounges on a boat in Singapore or on a hotel bed in Berlin. Shots of Bowie making silly faces and waiting in line at airports give audiences a candid look into the less glamorous parts of the musician’s life. O’Regan’s fantastic work wonderfully captures the energy of being within Bowie’s orbit. (Mar.)