The opening reception for Doug Coombe’s photography exhibit at the Ann Arbor Art Center focuses on the power of music to uplift the world.
Our Love Will Change The World: Photographs by Doug Coombe
On Friday, November 22, the Ann Arbor Art Center held an opening reception for Doug Coombe’s photography exhibit, Our Love Will Change The World. Circling around the gallery are iconic images that Doug has crafted and curated. The photos show the imagination, the excitement, the fun, and the love that music provides.
While the photos alone are outstanding, what makes this exhibit stellar is the short stories Doug has provided for each of them. They give you not only a backstage pass to what was happening at the time, but you also get a glimpse into Doug’s craft. In effect, these vignettes reveal Doug’s creative gift as both an aural and visual storyteller.
The title of Doug’s exhibit is taken from a song of the same name by Detroit’s pop-punk Outrageous Cherry. As Doug explains in an introduction, which is part of the exhibit, having one of his photos chosen for the first Outrageous Cherry CD back cover influenced his decision to study photography. Paying homage to a band that had such a vital impact on his art and profession is a beautiful touch. The title also speaks to the fact that art in all its forms can indeed change the world.
How Do You Know Doug?
When stopping to say hello to Doug, he introduced us to his neighbors who’d dropped in to see this sublime photography show. They asked, “How Do You Know Doug?” which clicked my mental rewind button. It took only a few seconds to spin back to Fuzz Fest 2 at the Blind Pig.
For the first few bands, I was the only photographer in the room. Then, I noticed a guy with a mop of dark hair and a friendly smile squatting on the floor across from me. He was focusing intently on the bands, using an off-camera flash—a technique I didn’t even know was possible until that moment. I was captivated.
Later, Chris Taylor (awesome dude and founder of Fuzz Fest) asked if I knew Doug. I think I may have said something like, “Who is Doug?” The magician with the off-camera flash was Doug Coombe. Later, I looked up Doug and saw his photos from Fuzz Fest. I had no idea I was in the presence of such an incredible photographer. The way Doug seems to unveil the inner emotions of the bands as they play hit me profoundly. I’ve been a huge fan ever since.
Over the years, I’ve gotten to know Doug a bit better. As anyone who has met Doug will attest, he’s the nicest and most unassuming person. He kindly showed some of his prints at the first GIG – The Art of Michigan Music held at the Ann Arbor Art Center in 2016. We shared a couple of beers and talked about music recently, and I pulled him back in for the relaunch of GIG – The Art of Michigan Music 2024 in Jackson. Doug’s fabulous photos at that show were highly prized, as they should be.
A Lasting Impact
There is no doubt that over Doug’s 30 years of music photography, he has crafted some of the most iconic works of art in the genre. He is a master storyteller, a humble and kind person, and a gifted artist. I can’t think of a way to witness his exhibit at the Ann Arbor Art Center and not walk away inspired.
Our Love Will Change The World: Photographs by Doug Coombe runs through January 5, 2025. The images in the gallery are for sale. If a particular image strikes a chord, by all means, take it home. Supporting artists you love will change the world.
Pictures
We have more photos from our visit to Doug’s exhibit in our gallery.
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