Charles Gatewood

Photographer Charles Gatewood offers insight and comments on a variety of his work. His subjects include exhibitionism, transvestites, fetishism, scenes from Mardi Gras, and body modification such as tattoos, body piercing, and extreme weight gain.

"Charles Gatewood is a photographer and anthropologist who specializes in "subcultures." On the evidence of "Dances Sacred and Profane," Mark and Dan Jury's documentary about Mr. Gatewood, he is drawn particularly to Mardi Gras revels, gatherings of nudists and sex clubs. Bare breasts, elaborately tattooed bodies and bizarre behavior are featured in his work, and in the movie. Addressing those who may find his subject matter "revolting and disgusting," Mr. Gatewood asserts that it "tells us something about ourselves." He sees "important statements being made there," about "liberation through excess" and "some kind of actualization of transcendence."

American photographer Charles Gatewood started out in the 1960s as a young man with dreams of showing the world the radical cultural developments that were going on in his country. He met many of the iconic instigators of change and documented them for posterity. As the decades passed, Gatewood drifted more and more into a personal expression of sexual subcultures, both in America and abroad. His powerful photos of pioneers within the tattooing- and piercing scenes helped pave the way for the movement that was to be called "Modern Primitives". It's a classic example of when art, and in this example, specifically photography, merges with its general environment and takes on new forms that are impossible to stop. Or, as the San Francisco based photographer himself describes it: "Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, you can't put it back".

Charles Gatewood is at it again, in this 'documentary' capturing San Francisco residents whipping, shaving—and drawing blood from each other.

From the master of erotic tattooing and body piercing comes this fantastic video featuring the most exotic and erotic body modifications.

How weird is weird? See for yourself. Join Hurricane Martha on this bawdy romp through Europe's Capital of Raunch. See Amazing Astrid showing her Queen-sized pierced nipples. Not for the faint-hearted. See tattoo museum, sex museum, clubs.

Photographer Charles Gatewood offers insight and comments on a variety of his work. His subjects include exhibitionism, transvestites, fetishism, scenes from Mardi Gras, and body modification such as tattoos, body piercing, and extreme weight gain.

Charles Gatewood is at it again, in this 'documentary' capturing San Francisco residents whipping, shaving—and drawing blood from each other.

From the master of erotic tattooing and body piercing comes this fantastic video featuring the most exotic and erotic body modifications.

How weird is weird? See for yourself. Join Hurricane Martha on this bawdy romp through Europe's Capital of Raunch. See Amazing Astrid showing her Queen-sized pierced nipples. Not for the faint-hearted. See tattoo museum, sex museum, clubs.

At Mardi Gras, in New Orleans, there are a million drunk people in the streets, all masked and laughing. The energy really gets reporter/filmmaker Charles Gatewood going. It's not just the subject matter, it's also the energy of the event.

Charles Gatewood's tour video of the weird and wild in southeast Asia. Featuring sex shows, opium smoking, primitive piercing rituals, spitting cobras and "Exotic Erotic Bangkok, Sin City of Asia!".

Body modification sub-culture documentary from photographer Charles Gatewood, featuring music by Psychic TV.

The cult of Harley-Davidson; party at the Boot Hill Saloon; boogie music and get-down action; choppers and custom bikes galore; tattoos for bikers; behind the scenes at Iron Horse; the biggest biker bash; interviews, lady-bikers, and rave.

More crazy "subversive" culture madness from San Francisco photographer of fetish, body modification, and fashion—Charles Gatewood.

Charles Gatewood documents a trip across the United States that stops in on many alternative lifestyle activities. Includes stops in transvestite bars, biker conventions, college spring break parties, gay and lesbian parades, and many interviews with people with tattoos and body piercing.

Charles Gatewood's SOV tour of underground subcultures in late 1980's San Francisco.

Charles Gatewood captures a bunch of dummies with bizarre piercings and regrettable face tattoos in his 1990s docu-movie, "Penetration 2".