Oh! You pretty thing: David Bowie

A spectacular new photographic boxed set candidly documents David Bowie’s life during his groundbreaking 1983 world tour

Art and Design 24 May 2018

David Bowie in Bangkok, 1983, taken by Denis O'Regan

David Bowie in Bangkok, 1983, taken by Denis O'Regan

Denis O’Regan was David Bowie’s official tour photographer and longtime collaborator. His images cover nearly two decades, but accompanying Bowie over nine months round the world on his Serious Moonlight tour in 1983 was the time they cemented their relationship. Given unprecedented access, O’Regan’s photographs capture Bowie on stage and off, in candid, unguarded moments – ‘Catching another side of the enigma,’ he says.

The limited edition Ricochet : David Bowie 1983

With Bowie’s support, Denis O’Regan has created a unique, limited-edition piece of art charting the tour. Ricochet : David Bowie 1983 has nearly 1,000 images, each personally approved by Bowie, many shared for the first time, creating an intimate portrait of the late music legend. In a run of 2,000, the museum-quality, collector’s edition is a boxed set that contains supplementary volumes including memorabilia, lyrics, extra photographs and contact sheets. It also contains a limited-edition vinyl, featuring Ricochet and Let’s Dance, plus three limited-edition prints, signed and numbered by O’Regan, supplied with an authenticated certificate with the David Bowie Estate stamp.

O’Regan says 1983 was a very happy year for Bowie as he worked on his most successful ever tour, and the intimate images portray him as the playful, smart and original talent cherished by his many fans. O’Regan admits that he is fulfilling a dream by sharing the personal images, ‘while revealing an insight into the real David – as much as anyone can. I’m proud and honoured that this book was made with David’s support and hope that it will do him justice.’

Bowie always thought outside the box, and this fine art bundle certainly releases and celebrates his extraordinary spirit during that special year.

Available to ship from July, £3,000; bowie1983book.com