Hannes Schmid: A Life In Pictures

HANNES SCHMID

Hannes Schmid: A Life In Pictures celebrates the extraordinary oeuvre of an artist who trained his lens on the incredible spectrum of life and humanity, from cannibals and cowboys, to pilgrims and fashion models. Working across genres and fields as varied as his life experiences, from photo-journalism to fashion photography, fine art, and stirring social activism, Schmid’s images vividly bring to life the spirit of a place, person, culture or moment, with his characteristic insight, tenderness and verve.

This exhibition brings together three celebrated bodies of work: For Gods Only, a series chronicling the traditional arts of Chinese street opera and calligraphy in their twilight; Blackstage, a powerful series of portraits of music legends in performance, taken when Schmid toured with them as their appointed photographer; and thirdly, a series bringing together fashion and wildlife, where Schmid turned his work for international fashion publications into opportunities for raising awareness of endangered species and our relationship with the natural world.

Open to public from 29 April – 29 June 2025.

For Gods Only

In the 2000s, when Schmid was living in Singapore, he chanced upon a Chinese street opera performance, and was captivated by this centuries-old art form. These performances are staged not for human audiences but for Gods and ghosts during religious festivities; as such, rows of chairs in front of the stage are often left empty as a mark of respect. Schmid started to follow the opera troupe around, and it took 3 years of perseverance and persuasion before the opera master could be convinced that the Gods were accepting of Schmid’s presence and his camera.

For Gods Only captures the opera performers on stage, as they get ready and prepare to slip into character, and in private moments of rest and solitude. These arresting black and white vignettes are each finished with a flourish of red calligraphic strokes that beautifully complete the composition of each image while also capturing the individuality and vitality of the calligrapher’s artistic expression, echoing the dedication and craft of the opera performer. In Schmid’s words, “I was always driven to capture moments that reflected as much as possible the mood and condition I was personally experiencing. In this instance, my senses were so deeply stirred that I knew what my photographs could portray was limited in its significance. I realized then that the void had to be filled with an equally powerful element and I found it through Chinese Calligraphy. The fusion opened up a new dimension to its essence and together, it became complete.”

The troupe’s last performance was on 11 February 2007. With its actors over 80 years old, the troupe has since disbanded. For Gods Only is a project under the patronage of UNESCO (Switzerland).

Fashion & Wildlife

Schmid’s work with music legends garnered interest from the fashion world, and he was soon creating arresting sets and memorable images for the likes of Vogue, Gucci, Prada and Armani. Presented in the exhibition are a selection of images where Schmid brought together fashion and wildlife to heighten awareness of endangered species and comment on our relationship with the natural world. Of these, Out Of Africa warrants mention: the dynamic and somewhat humorous image of an elephant pursuing a retinue of models and assistants was completely unplanned, spontaneously captured by Schmid during a shoot in the Masai Mara. The photograph attracted significant international press, and was recognised by Time Life Magazine as one of the best of the decade.

Blackstage

Schmid’s induction into the world of rock and roll began with a concert by British rock band Status Quo. He was fascinated by the fans’ ardour and unbridled headbanging, which reminded him of the tribes of West Papua whom he had photographed a few years earlier. Schmid’s colourful life experience and talent earned him the job of the band’s tour photographer, and between 1978 – 1984 he travelled the world with 257 bands as their photographer, working with legends such as ABBA, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, AC/DC and Queen. Blackstage is a series of arresting portraits of these rock stars captured in sharp focus against a pitch-black background, highlighting the intensity of their performance, charisma, and stage presence.

For a full dossier of available works, please contact siuli@appetitesg.com

Curated by:
Tan Siuli

With thanks to:
Hannes Schmid