Steve Parke | New visual chronicle, 'Prince: Black White Color'

From the personal archives of Prince's former in-house Art Director at Paisley Park

Written by

Michael Gallagher

Photographed by

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Paisley Park atrium hallway. This series featured him playing a George Benson signature hollow-body guitar. This particular image and several others had been lost to me for years, but as I was working on gathering all images into one cohesive place, I ran across these. This particular one being my choice for the cover all along, and grateful that ACC Art Books agreed. ©Steve Parke.

In Steve Parke’s new book, Prince: Black, White, Color via ACC Art Books, he unveils Prince as more than just the showman and musician that the public knew him to be. Parke—as Prince’s in-house art director at Paisley Park and an award-winning photographer, designer, and illustrator—had exclusive access to the Minnesota native in many of his more intimate moments. Lounging at home with his wife, working in the studio, and posing for portraits out in the world were just a handful of the personal moments Parke captured and is now sharing with the world.

Prince and Mayte at their home in Marbella, Spain. Prince and Mayte with one of their dogs, Mia, posing on the piano. Mia was quite the trooper that day. I loved the light coming from all the windows and doors in this shot. ©Steve Parke.

Playground at Paisley Park Studios. The day we shot here, we ended at the playground in front of the studio, which had been intended for Prince and Mayte’s child and, as Prince told me, also for children of other employees at Paisley Park. Sadly, their child did not survive. I noticed his overall tone shifted dramatically to be more somber when we started shooting in this area. ©Steve Parke.

Parke’s images offer a private glimpse into the life of one who changed so many others. The over 250 pictures are just a peek at Prince’s non-publicized life. Prince: Black, White Color will release on April 14th on Acc Art Books and will shine a light on dark spots in the 38-time-Grammy-nominated performer’s life, who greatly influenced music and performance, almost exactly 10 years after his death. Until then, you can listen to our editor's pick, "If I Was Your Girlfriend."

Paisley Park atrium. Just after getting his hair braided, we did a series of photos in this space. As I went through them for the book, I was reminded of how many photos I have of Prince barefoot. ©Steve Parke.

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Prince, Steve Parke, Music, Michael Gallagher