Some artists really changed the world. The British photographer John ‘Rankin’ Waddell is such an artist. As founder and first photographer of the iconic fashion and culture magazine Dazed & Confused he systematically highlighted ethnic minorities and LGBTQIA+ models, while featuring numerous emerging stars on its covers. Rankin’s contributions were unprecedented! The exhibition “Rankin: The Dazed Decades” explores his distinctive style and visionary approach to photography. Till 11th of June 2023 @Cultuurcentrum Scharpoord Knokke-Heist.
Text Anja Van Der Borght
In 1991, the first issue of the iconic fashion and culture magazine Dazed & Confused was published, establishing itself as a leading magazine in the fashion industry for over three decades. It gained worldwide fame for its distinctive visual iconography. As the founder and inaugural photo editor of Dazed & Confused, Rankin set the visual tone for which the magazine became renowned.
In 1991, the first issue of the iconic fashion and culture magazine Dazed & Confused was published, establishing itself as a leading magazine in the fashion industry for over three decades. It gained worldwide fame for its distinctive visual iconography. As the founder and inaugural photo editor of Dazed & Confused, Rankin set the visual tone for which the magazine became renowned.
Since its inception, Dazed & Confused has consistently pushed boundaries and shaped youth culture. It systematically highlighted ethnic minorities and LGBTQIA+ models, while featuring numerous emerging stars on its covers. Rankin’s contributions were unprecedented: he democratized fashion photography and blurred the lines between fashion, music, film, and culture. His work during his tenure at Dazed & Confused serves as a manifesto reflecting his worldview, conveying a powerful political statement through imagery alone.
