Tag Archives: Luvelli

First Street Photographer Inducted into State Historical Society of Missouri

street photographer Jon Luvelli

Work of World Renowned Street Photographer Finds Home at State Historical Society of Missouri, Art Currently on Exhibition

Acclaimed street photographer Jon Luvelli is establishing a collection of his works within the State Historical Society of Missouri’s permanent art collection. Luvelli’s fine art photography has garnered worldwide attention for its distinguished images of Midwestern townscapes.

A selection of these newly acquired photographs is currently on display at the State Historical Society’s Columbia art gallery on the ground floor of Ellis Library.

A native of Como, Italy, Luvelli was raised in a rural farm town near Columbia, Missouri. According to Joan Stack, SHSMO’s curator of art collections, his work casts an aesthetic spotlight on contemporary life in the rural routes and small-town streets of the Show-Me State.

“Luvelli avoids stereotypical visions of country life in favor of black-and-white works picturing people and places most individuals overlook or sometimes choose to ignore,” Stack said. “By allowing spectators to view twenty-first-century central Missouri through an artist’s eye, Luvelli helps us better understand the state and its people.”

In an August 7, 2016, review of Luvelli’s Unseen Columbia exhibition at the Boone County Historical Society, Aarik Danielsen, Columbia Daily Tribune arts and entertainment editor, wrote that Luvelli captures Columbia’s collective history through his focus on the unnoticed.

“All are equal in Luvelli’s viewfinder,” Danielsen wrote. “The children and aged, the black and white, the police and the passed-out in the street. The photographer forces us to reckon with economic realities we would do anything not to see.”

Stack said Luvelli’s work also conveys social messages, never shying away from the complicated subjects of racism, poverty, sexuality, abuse, and addiction.

“Black-and-white photography suits these subjects,” Stack said. “The stark contrasts of light and dark call attention to a quotidian world in the shadows, and subtle variations of gray encourage us to find beauty in forms customarily viewed as unsightly.”

Luvelli’s work augments the State Historical Society of Missouri’s diverse art collection, which includes photographs of the American West by Edward Curtis, Thomas Hart Benton’s Year of Peril World War II series, numerous paintings by George Caleb Bingham, and many other pieces illustrating Missouri’s regional and westward expansion history.

 

Missouri State Historical Society. (2017). Street Photography. Retrieved from https://shsmo.org/news/2017/11/20

Every Day Streets, Streets Everywhere – Lensculture Interview w/ Jon Luvelli

Read the full interview at https://goo.gl/RcCkT0
A monochromatic master and a modern-day Mark Cohen—learn more about this intriguing street photographer who pounds the pavements of a town far, far off the beaten trail.
Interview with Jon Luvelli

Street Hunters Review on ‘One Block’

STREETHUNTERS BOOKSHELF: JON LUVELLI’S ONE BLOCK

John-Luvelli-One-Block-Cover

I am honored to have one of the best photography magazines review my book!

Read the interview at http://tinyurl.com/j75txhg

Jon Luvelli and the Ricoh GR II

Doing some street photography with the Ricoh GR II answering questions, hanging out with friends and meeting people. Join Us!

Posted by Luvelli on Saturday, April 9, 2016

LEO’S – Columbia, Missouri

It began while I was taking a stroll down my favorite street, Ninth Street, in the heart of Columbia, Missouri. This street homes the famous blue note, where for years has been a hub to many great performers ranging from blues, rock n roll, rap, country, and alternative music, it’s an amazing venue. Next to that, stands one of my favorite coffee shops in the world, Coffee Zone, where you can get a delicious cappuccino, caramel macchiato, or some Turkish coffee. They also have some of the best desserts to offer that will melt in your mouth, while enjoying your java. This town is my getaway of getaways. I feel like I’m on a vacation every time I’m there, every turn of a corner in this unique downtown area lays mystery, peace, and beauty that are just waiting to be discovered.

Behind-The-Mirror
It was about ten o’clock in the morning, I was waiting for a friend while sitting outside enjoying my coffee watching the steam rise in to the crisp, warm air and I looked over and noticed an open door and a hint of gold glitter that shimmered from the sun, this instantly caught my eye. I immediately got out of my chair and went to investigate just to see what business this could possibly be. I looked inside, there was a beautiful gold, glittery staircase and there was graffiti all over the walls, the steep hallway had seemed endless to the top. I felt as though I was Indiana Jones, like I discovered something magical. I began to follow this glittery, yellow brick stairway, into the Land of Oz, that is Leo’s.

WIGS

As soon as I stepped foot at the top of the steps, there was a mecca of amazing thrifty stuff that just blew my mind. I knew then that this was gold. I thought to myself, “This is awesome! I love this stuff. This is so cool!” The first thing I saw was a mannequin with a gas mask on. Next, I saw a cat perched on top of the counter. It was just the chilliest place you could ever see. There were vintage hats, coats, wigs, old vinyl records, and a massive amount of shoes. It was just “wow”, it was breath taking. It was one of the most eclectic shops I have ever been to. So, I spent time shooting throughout this store for hours, I was consumed by waves of inspiration and creativity. After a few shots, I decided to do a project because I felt that everyone should see what a prized gem I found in the midst of a small town.

STAIRWAY-TO-LEOS

After I finished shooting, I spent a few moments chatting with the owner, his heart and passion is to travel across the world to find interesting things for his patrons to purchase and enjoy. Throughout his time traveling he became a quick collector of vintage and surplus clothing, shoes, and random vintage décor. Never in the market to buy clothing from customers, as many vintage stores do, the Leo’s owner, on the other hand, prides himself on finding everything that he sells or rents in random locations from around the world. With a knack for hoarding, in the year of 1972, Leo’s soon became the ideal place for him to keep everything he finds, while making a little profit. In the meantime, while he is at his store he is usually restoring clothing that he finds using his sewing machine or bringing in new things that he has found.

Take the time to explore the things around you, you don’t want to miss out on the magnificent things and opportunities that could be right in front of your eyes.

Here is my journey through this amazing maze of vintage.

Jon Luvelli


Purchase Premium Prints of the LEO’S Collection here.

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