Subversives, Revolutionaries & Provocateurs

For more than four decades, Janette Beckman has documented sub-cultures on both sides of the Atlantic, from the beginnings of the punk and hip-hop scene, to recent movements such as Black Lives Matter. 

FOAM Amsterdam now presents the first major retrospective of the artist’s oeuvre: Rebels: An Ode to Subversives, Revolutionaries and Provocateurs pays homage to those who challenge social and political norms, and highlights Beckman’s dedication to themes like activism, youth culture, and social justice. 

The British-born photographer started her career at the dawn of London’s punk rock scene, portraying iconic bands such as The Clash, The Sex Pistols and The Jam for leading UK magazines like Melody Maker and The Face. In the early 1980s, Beckman moved to New York City, where she witnessed the emerging hip-hop scene and its pioneers – Salt-N-Pepa, Slick Rick, LL Cool J. and many more. Her visual style has not only influenced our perception of these movements, but also feeds into Beckman’s fashion work, which includes campaigns for brands like Dior, Levis and Gucci x Dapper Dan.

Rebels: An Ode to Subversives, Revolutionaries and Provocateurs can be viewed from 10 May to 8 September 2024.