Larry Clark is synonymous with controversy. The word seems to trail the American photographer and filmmaker like a yappy Jack Russell wherever he shows his work. Since the publication of his 1971 book, Tulsa, Clark has been known as the agitator of teenage disorder with images of drug abuse, underage sex and violence. His 1995, Kids, remains the go-to shock film for an unflinching portrayal of teenage-hood.

Now at 67 years-old, Clark has a London show, What do you do for fun?, part-retrospective and part-showcase for new work, it features seminal Nineties shots – from the staged images in his book, 1992, to collages from on the set of Kids.

The show follows Clark’s recent exhibition at the Musee d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, where once again his work sparked controversy when the Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, banned anyone under the age of 18 from attending. Clark declared it, “an attack on youth, on adolescents.” Prepare yourself, a contretemps is coming.

What do you do for fun? opens on the 10th February at Simon Lee Gallery

Tags: Kids, larry clark, Simon Lee Gallery, Tulsa, What do you do for fun?