The late Peter Simon‘s new reggae photo exhibition, which will showcase some of his most iconic work shot in Jamaica, will be displayed at the VP Records gallery space at 170-21 Jamaica Ave., in Jamaica, Queens.
This exhibition will be on display every Saturday until Dec. 21, after opening on Oct. 5. Aaron Talbert is the record label’s vice president of Sales and Marketing. He is most familiar with Peter Simon, brother of singer Carly Simon, and his work, and he was almost solely responsible for the curation and organization of the exhibition.
Talbert shared some details on Simon’s life experiences, which shaped his work as a music photojournalist. “Simon was a music photojournalist who covered The Rolling Stones, James Taylor, The Grateful Dead, and others before and during his forays into reggae music. He was among the first to cover the Jamaican reggae scene in a style typically associated with rock music journalism,” he said.
The record label has maintained a long-standing relationship with Peter Simon and his family, supporting an exhibit of his work in Jamaica in 2013.
Talbert explained how the exhibition came together: “During the pandemic, we reconfigured our retail store and created the gallery space at 170-21 Jamaica Ave. This is the first solo show we have hosted in the space since its completion in early 2022.”
He added that the images were chosen for their uniqueness and relationship to VP Records’ history and catalog.
Talbert explained that the audience has been the most consistent driver for VP Records, guiding its direction over the years. Ms. Pat (who co-founded the company) often says, “… it’s the street that tells you when you have a hit,” so we have listened closely.
Simon’s connection with VP Records co-founder Pat Chin dates back to the mid-1970s when the Chin family ran Randy’s Record Mart, a vital hub for retail and distribution in Kingston. His photography has since been featured on album covers, promotional materials, and reggae publications, significantly shaping the visual representation of the genre.
Next month will mark six years since his death, and the collaboration for this exhibition has been in discussion since 2011 or 2012.
“Initially, it was envisioned as an album featuring his images on the packaging. Most recently, we have begun selling photographic prints through our website (www.vpreggae.com), created a Reggae Bloodlines playlist, and are launching a mini-line of T-shirts.”
On the impact of this collaboration, Talbert said, “We hope the gallery space becomes a destination for art and culture, attracting all who appreciate genuine Caribbean culture.”
