Fifty years after a photocopied underground magazine from downtown New York helped ignite the punk movement, that rebellious spirit is alive and crackling once again on the Lower East Side. The Ki Smith Gallery at 170 Forsyth Street, located between Stanton and Rivington streets, opened its doors tonight for "50 Years of PUNK," a comprehensive exhibition celebrating the legendary PUNK Magazine and its lasting impact on music and culture.
Earlier this week, East Village resident John Holmstrom, who served as co-founder, editor, and illustrator of PUNK Magazine, worked alongside gallery owner Ki Smith to assemble the exhibition. The show brings together original artwork, photographs, and contributions from the artists and photographers who both shaped and were shaped by the groundbreaking publication that championed the Ramones before their first record was released, put Blondie in print for the first time, and transformed fanzine culture into something louder and more visually striking.
"This gallery show won't be your typical art gallery opening: It will be a celebration of PUNK Magazine, punk rock, and many of the people who contributed to this weird art and music 'thing' that took place in New York City in the 1970s, when it was bankrupt and depended on the arts community to bring it back to life," Holmstrom wrote in his Substack newsletter. "I like to think that we held up our end of the bargain." The exhibition features work from photographer Nico Malvaldi, gallery owner Smith, Holmstrom himself, and Nour Shalaby, who serves as John's assistant.
The exhibition will run through January 11 and includes several special events throughout its duration. On December 13 from 2 to 6 p.m., the gallery will host a Clothing Sale and Fashion Show featuring PUNK Magazine clothing, merchandise, and memorabilia, including some rarely seen items perfect for Christmas shopping. January 7 from 7 to 10 p.m. will feature "Sex Pistols Tour Film Script: The Live Show," a reading of Holmstrom's personal account of the Sex Pistols' 1978 U.S. tour, accompanied by images and taking place on the tour's 48th anniversary.
Additional programming includes "The Making of PUNK 1" scheduled for early January with a date to be determined. This event will feature filmmaker Mary Harron, Holmstrom, and others who were involved with the creation of the magazine's first issue, discussing how it all came together during those formative years. The exhibition will conclude with a closing party on January 11 at 7 p.m., with additional details to be announced.
The gallery's website provides updates on programming as well as a comprehensive list of the many notable contributors and photographers who made the publication such a remarkable success during its heyday. "50 Years of PUNK" operates on a Wednesday through Sunday schedule, with gallery hours from noon to 6 p.m. Tonight's opening reception runs from 6 to 9 p.m., marking the beginning of what promises to be a nostalgic and energetic celebration of one of punk culture's most influential publications.
