It's A Hard Life
Regular price £1,500.00© Torleif Svensson
The Works 1984
Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity
More sizes available through enquiry at: photography@proud.co.uk
"Freddie was born in Africa 1946, on the island of Zanzibar. In the 1950s, my uncle moved to South Africa, and in 1984 I visited my family there—the same year Queen performed in the country. In 1987, Freddie tested positive for HIV, leading the band to stop touring, making the Magic Tour Queen's last with him. Freddie passed away on November 24, 1991, at 45, only disclosing his battle with AIDS the day before he died. In 2005, I was involved in launching an AIDS prevention program in South African schools, and part of my exhibition sales has supported AIDS organizations. My story with South Africa is far from over." - Torleif Svensson
Torleif Svensson began his professional career as a photographer over 35 years ago, driven by a vision to capture not only moments but also create art. This ambition inspired him to establish his company, Art Vox, with "Vox" symbolizing his deep connection to music and voice. Svensson’s passion for rock music has driven a career rich with images of iconic concerts, none more legendary than Queen's last tour.
In the summer of 1986, Svensson found himself front and center as Queen took their final bow before an audience of over 120,000 fans, capturing the last images of Freddie Mercury as he symbolically removed his crown. He recalls that day as the end of an era, a performance that has since become one of Queen’s finest moments. Although unaware at the time, Svensson's images documented the closing chapter of Queen's live legacy.
Svensson’s first experience with Queen came two years earlier at Wembley Arena in 1984, where the power of Mercury’s presence and the force of Queen’s music left a profound impact on him. Through his lens, he sought to capture that same intensity—a passion reignited when his original shots were stolen, driving him to photograph the band obsessively throughout their final tour. His journey with Queen is immortalized in his book, *Queen - The Last Tour*, and his work will be showcased in upcoming exhibitions, including Proud Galleries, London, in October 2024.
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