Billy Idol, New York City, 1977, photographed by Roberta Bayley.
Museum

Punk is Coming

The Music Photo GalleryMuseum exhibition150+ works
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The exhibition

Punk is Coming was a group exhibition featuring more than 50 photographers, filmmakers and artists whose work documented and helped define the punk movement of the 1970s.

Bringing together photography, film, archival material and artist-created works, the exhibition explored the cultural impact of punk across New York, London, Los Angeles and other cities where the movement emerged and evolved. Rare photographs, previously unseen footage and original artworks provided a broad view of the people, places and ideas that shaped one of the most influential cultural movements of the twentieth century.

The exhibition was presented at MoCA Westport from March 26 through June 5, 2022.

Punk is Coming was co-curated by Marian Schwindeman, Roberta Bayley, Liz Leggett (Director of Exhibitions, MoCA Westport) and Ruth Mannes (Executive Director, MoCA Westport).

To me, punk rock is the freedom to create, freedom to be successful, freedom to not be successful, freedom to be who you are.
— Patti Smith
Installation views

17 views of the exhibition.

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Selected works

Photographs from the exhibition.

Billy Idol, New York City, 1977, photographed by Roberta Bayley.
Roberta Bayley
Billy Idol, New York City, 1977
Debbie Harry and Chris Stein kissing in New York City, 1976, photographed by Roberta Bayley.
Roberta Bayley
Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, Kiss, New York City, 1976
Debbie Harry and Joey Ramone looking at each other, New York City, 1977, photographed by Roberta Bayley.
Roberta Bayley
Debbie Harry and Joey Ramone, Looking at Each Other, New York City, 1977
Debbie Harry and Joey Ramone on a bed, New York City, 1977, photographed by Roberta Bayley.
Roberta Bayley
Debbie Harry and Joey Ramone, On the Bed, New York City, 1977
Debbie Harry, Las Vegas, 1979, photographed by Roberta Bayley.
Roberta Bayley
Debbie Harry, Portrait, Las Vegas, 1979
Elvis Costello, New York City, 1978, photographed by Roberta Bayley.
Roberta Bayley
Elvis Costello, New York City, 1978
Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, David Johansen and Joey Ramone, New York City, 1977, photographed by Roberta Bayley.
Roberta Bayley
Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, David Johansen and Joey Ramone, New York City, 1977
Joe Strummer, 14th Street, New York City, 1980, photographed by Roberta Bayley.
Roberta Bayley
Joe Strummer, 14th Street, New York City, 1980
Touring history
1
featured venues
  • Museum of Contemporary Art | MoCA Westport, Connecticut, USA
Artists
Roberta Bayley

Roberta Bayley

New York City, USA

Roberta Bayley began photographing in the mid-1970s while working at CBGB, the club that became the epicenter of the New York punk movement. Her position within that community gave her direct access to the musicians, writers and artists who defined the era. Her best-known photograph, used for the cover of the Ramon...

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Ebet Roberts

Ebet Roberts

Ebet Roberts is one of the most prolific photographers to emerge from New York’s downtown music scene. Beginning in the late 1970s, she gained access to artists, clubs and backstage environments at a moment when punk, new wave and rock music were reshaping popular culture. Her photographs combine documentary precis...

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Marcia Resnick

Marcia Resnick

New York Photographer & Conceptual Artist | 1950–2025

For nearly ten years, The Music Photo Gallery exclusively represented a selection of Marcia Resnick's punk and rock photographs. Marcia was also a beloved friend. Her final exhibition took place at our SoHo pop-up gallery in 2025; at the time of her death, we were preparing a solo presentation for Paris. We continue...

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Sheila Rock

Sheila Rock

Sheila Rock emerged as one of the most distinctive photographers of the British Punk and New Wave era. Working in London throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, she developed a deeply personal approach to portraiture that combined spontaneity, trust and emotional proximity. Rather than documenting music culture ...

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Touring

Bring the exhibition to your city.

Available for museums, cultural institutions, festivals and commercial venues worldwide, in editions adapted to each space. Contact the gallery for formats, availability and the touring dossier.

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