Ricky Powell
Untitled
Photograph with ink inscription
25.4 × 20.32 cm
Unique
Location: Paris, France
Arianee token ID
395573373
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About the artwork
This composition features a color photograph of two small dogs,likely Chihuahuas,resting together in a light blue pet bed. The dogs are positioned within what appears to be an interior setting,possibly a living room,with a mustard-yellow armchair visible in the background. Above the lighter-colored dog,a speech bubble has been added to the photograph,containing the text "YO LIL' WHAT'S UP". To the right of the dogs,another textual element reads "B'WARE BLOWIN' MY K-9'S".
The photographic print is affixed to a larger sheet of paper,which bears extensive handwritten inscriptions in blue ink. On the left side,vertical text reads "Good to SEE YA Quike Stay up...". Below this,the artist has signed "THE RICKSTER A.K.A. THE Rickford Files" and "Ricky Powell". The date "10/12/98" is also inscribed,indicating the date of the inscription or perhaps the completion of the work. The bottom portion of the paper exhibits faint green coloration and some circular markings,suggesting additional artistic or preparatory elements. The combination of a seemingly casual animal portrait with street-art inspired text and personal inscriptions characterizes the artist's informal approach to documentation and commentary.
Expert opinion
Ricky Powell's work occupies a distinct position within the art market,primarily within the photography and urban art categories. His photographs are valued for their candid nature and their historical significance in documenting the hip-hop scene and New York City's counterculture from the 1980s through the early 2000s. The market for his work is sustained by collectors interested in music history,street photography,and celebrity portraiture. The market for Powell's photographs typically sees realized prices ranging from several hundred to a few thousand US dollars,with a record auction price of $3,000 for a photograph of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Works with unique annotations or those depicting highly recognizable figures tend to achieve higher values. The presence of extensive handwritten text and the artist's signature on this piece contribute to its uniqueness as a mixed-media item,distinguishing it from standard photographic prints.
About the artist
Ricky Powell (1961–2021) was an American photographer recognized for his documentation of popular culture, including hip hop, punk rock, graffiti, and pop art, particularly within the context of New York City. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Greenwich Village, Powell pursued formal studies, earning an associate's degree in liberal arts and a B.S. in physical education. His career as a photographer began in earnest around 1985, capturing the vibrant and often raw urban environment of New York. Powell gained prominence through his association with the Beastie Boys, serving as their de facto in-house photographer for tours such as the "Licensed to Ill" tour in 1987 and subsequent engagements until 1995. His work captured candid portraits of a diverse range of artists and personalities, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Madonna, Run-D.M.C., and LL Cool J. Powell's photographs have been featured in numerous publications, including *The New York Times*, *Rolling Stone*, and *VIBE*, and he authored several books, such as *The Rap Photography of Ricky Powell!* (1998) and *The Rickford Files: Classic New York Photographs* (2000). He was known for his "environmental portraiture," capturing subjects in their natural settings with a blend of intimacy and detachment.
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