Bill Phelps is best known in the alt.moto world for a series of exquisitely composed shots of models with old bikes (Vincents, Velocettes, Nortons, etc – all his) most of which were taken in 1998/9. He has since moved on to professional work for the likes of Condé Nast, and his work is shown at Robin Rice Gallery in NYC, but he remains an oil-stained gearhead, eager to reveal the epic from a familiar mix of people and machines. I’ve featured his work in 2010 (his gallery collection) and in 2013 (from Wheels+Waves), and it doesn’t age a bit. The current collection is perhaps his best yet, hinting at his maturation as an artist.
Our schedules coincided last month, and Bill was able to stretch a magazine shoot in Strasbourg to a weekend at the Vintage Revival event in the Montlhéry speed bowl. The storied race track, combined with the deliciously gritty subject matter, was catnip to Bill, and he’s produced a new photo series, a few of which I’m lucky to share on TheVintagent. You’ll see more in print soon, which I’ll announce via my Facebook and Instagram accounts. For now, enjoy his work!
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