Life-changing Encounter with a Multifaceted Figure: Peter Beard's Impact on My Existence (as a Prophet, Playboy, and Iconoclast)
Artist Peter Beard and Rapper Christopher Wallace: A Unique Connection
Peter Beard, the renowned American artist and photographer, and Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G., the iconic American rapper, share an unexpected connection.
Born in 1938, Peter Beard gained recognition for his influential work in wildlife photography and his unique aesthetic that combined images with diary entries. His photographs and diaries, particularly those documenting African wildlife and environmental themes, earned him a place in art history[1][2]. Despite his fame, there is no documented or known relationship between Peter Beard and Christopher Wallace.
Christopher Wallace, born and raised in Los Angeles, had a diverse career path. He was previously the US Editor of Mr Porter and the Executive Editor of Interview Magazine. His writing has appeared in esteemed publications such as the New York Times, The Paris Review, and on Substack. In his youth, he even played college football[3].
Their paths crossed in 2016[4]. Christopher Wallace met Peter Beard, who was known for his dense, technicolor collages, enchanting handwriting, and use of foreign beer labels, sands, and ephemera from his travels[5]. This meeting inspired Wallace to write a biography of Beard titled 'Twentieth-Century Man: The Wild Life of Peter Beard', which was published by Ecco press[6].
Peter Beard's work often included quotes from Darwin or Karen Blixen, and was known for its crusade for the conservation of elephants, natural resources, and a balance to life on Earth[7]. His work also featured images of himself with wildlife, such as a Nile crocodile in Kenya, and scantily clad models being licked by leopards[8].
One of Beard's most notorious shoots was for Interview magazine in the 1970s, which involved several buckets of blood[9]. Fran Lebowitz, a columnist at the time, did not appreciate Beard's work, finding it too showy and eccentric[10].
Christopher Wallace, too, has dabbled in photography and filmmaking. He has made a few short films that won some awards at festivals[11]. He eventually quit the football team to write poetry[12].
In an unusual twist, the biography 'Twentieth-Century Man: The Wild Life of Peter Beard' was penned by the rapper who once made similarly poor career decisions[13]. Yet, their shared passion for art and storytelling has left a lasting impact on their respective fields.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Beard [2] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Peter-Beard [3] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/10/notorious-big-biggie-smalls-biography-peter-beard [4] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/10/notorious-big-biggie-smalls-biography-peter-beard [5] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/10/notorious-big-biggie-smalls-biography-peter-beard [6] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/10/notorious-big-biggie-smalls-biography-peter-beard [7] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/10/notorious-big-biggie-smalls-biography-peter-beard [8] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/10/notorious-big-biggie-smalls-biography-peter-beard [9] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/10/notorious-big-biggie-smalls-biography-peter-beard [10] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/10/notorious-big-biggie-smalls-biography-peter-beard [11] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/10/notorious-big-biggie-smalls-biography-peter-beard [12] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/10/notorious-big-biggie-smalls-biography-peter-beard [13] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/10/notorious-big-biggie-smalls-biography-peter-beard
Peter Beard's biography, titled 'Twentieth-Century Man: The Wild Life of Peter Beard', was written by Christopher Wallace, showcasing a shared interest in storytelling and entertainment. The biography, published by Ecco press, delved into Beard's life as an artist, photographer, and environmental activist, who often incorporated foreign beer labels, sands, and ephemera from his travels in his artwork, offering a unique blend of entertainment and intellectual discussion about wildlife conservation.
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