Photographer Charles Peterson Captures Seattle’s Grunge Movement

Welcome to the 73rd insertion of DEMUR®, an analytical series highlighting the intricacies of the artistic world and the minutiae lying within. In this episode we travel to Seattle, revisiting American photographer Charles Peterson’s influential career documenting the birth of punk rock.

Dating back as far as the 1980’s, the rebellious grunge movement remains a pinnacle of rebellious youth culture and a paradigm shift in music itself. While eminent figures like Kurt Cobain of Nirvana spearheaded the murky sound, few were positioned with such intimacy to the movement’s core. Charles Peterson is among that minority, working as the unofficial photographer for Seattle’s independent record label, Sub Pop.

From a child, Peterson grew up lusting over photography. He shot sporting events in high-school and freelance on the side, studying at the University of Washington in his trade. Living on campus, he was first introduced to Mark Arm, lead singer of Green River and Mudhoney, in the fall of 1982. Then acquainting Peterson with Bruce Pavitt of Sub-pop, and Kim Thayil of Sound Garden, he began shooting from the pit at venues in Atlanta.

While success was rather sparse, Charles Peterson refined his artistic niche and carved a unique aesthetic akin to New York’s Gary Winogrand. He had established a relationship with Sub-pop and was recording both on and off-stage, documenting the rise of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and others. Almost exclusively captured in a monochromatic format, the creative refused to crop or alter his imagery to preserve an authentic attitude. His photos were raw and personal, seen through his eyes at the forefront of pop-culture’s upheaval.

As grunge began to surge, Peterson’s work faced the movement, allowing outsiders a view into the hecticity of performance and celebrity of stardom. He became the visual accomplice to an apathetic lifestyle, a lawless world in which distorted bass and edgy vocals mocked prejudice. His stills conveyed prosperous movement and genuine disposition, exhibiting the truth of punk and the ethos which guide it.