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David Bowie — The Smoker
Isolar II Tour, Toronto, May 13, 1978
This intimate backstage photograph captures David Bowie in a contemplative moment during the Station to Station tour, cigarette in hand, revealing the human presence behind the theatrical persona. Hand-signed by John Rowlands, strictly limited edition.
The Full Story
The Moment
Captured by John Rowlands during Bowie's Isolar II tour, this previously unseen black-and-white photograph shows the artist mid-song, cigarette in hand. Bowie embodies the Berlin Trilogy aesthetic: cinematic, angular, psychologically charged, yet intimately present. The image freezes a fleeting performance gesture, revealing the poise and controlled intensity of a performer in a creatively revitalized period.The Heritage
The Isolar II tour marked Bowie's return to live performance after the Berlin period, during which he had overcome previous drug dependencies. While the cigarette is a reminder of his personal habits, this era represented one of his most focused and artistically healthy tours. The photograph occupies a distinctive place in Bowie visual history, with the cigarette-in-hand detail underscoring the cool detachment and theatrical nonchalance that defined this transformative period.
Editions & Dimensions
SMALL (16") — Edition 150
Paper Size: 18.66" × 19.33"
Image Area: 16" × 16"
Margins: 1.33" (sides/top), 2" (bottom)
Shipping: 19"L × 5"W × 5"H, 2 lbs
MEDIUM (24") — Edition 100
Paper Size: 28" × 29"
Image Area: 24" × 24"
Margins: 2" (sides/top), 3" (bottom)
Shipping: 28"L × 5"W × 5"H, 3 lbs
LARGE (33") — Edition 50
Paper Size: 38.5" × 40.13"
Image Area: 33" × 33"
Margins: 2.75" (sides/top), 4.13" (bottom)
Shipping: 37"L × 6"W × 6"H, 4 lbs
Provenance & Release
Previously unpublished and unreleased from the John Rowlands archive. Hand-signed by John Rowlands, strictly limited and hand-numbered. Museum-grade scanning and archival pigment printing on heavyweight, acid-free fine art paper .Isolar II Tour, Toronto, May 13, 1978
This intimate backstage photograph captures David Bowie in a contemplative moment during the Station to Station tour, cigarette in hand, revealing the human presence behind the theatrical persona. Hand-signed by John Rowlands, strictly limited edition.
The Full Story
The Moment
Captured by John Rowlands during Bowie's Isolar II tour, this previously unseen black-and-white photograph shows the artist mid-song, cigarette in hand. Bowie embodies the Berlin Trilogy aesthetic: cinematic, angular, psychologically charged, yet intimately present. The image freezes a fleeting performance gesture, revealing the poise and controlled intensity of a performer in a creatively revitalized period.The Heritage
The Isolar II tour marked Bowie's return to live performance after the Berlin period, during which he had overcome previous drug dependencies. While the cigarette is a reminder of his personal habits, this era represented one of his most focused and artistically healthy tours. The photograph occupies a distinctive place in Bowie visual history, with the cigarette-in-hand detail underscoring the cool detachment and theatrical nonchalance that defined this transformative period.
Editions & Dimensions
SMALL (16") — Edition 150
Paper Size: 18.66" × 19.33"
Image Area: 16" × 16"
Margins: 1.33" (sides/top), 2" (bottom)
Shipping: 19"L × 5"W × 5"H, 2 lbs
MEDIUM (24") — Edition 100
Paper Size: 28" × 29"
Image Area: 24" × 24"
Margins: 2" (sides/top), 3" (bottom)
Shipping: 28"L × 5"W × 5"H, 3 lbs
LARGE (33") — Edition 50
Paper Size: 38.5" × 40.13"
Image Area: 33" × 33"
Margins: 2.75" (sides/top), 4.13" (bottom)
Shipping: 37"L × 6"W × 6"H, 4 lbs