NORMAN GOSNEY
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Norman Gosney has enjoyed international success as a designer, nightclub operator, and performer.
After adventures in his native England with rock bands, theatre groups, graphic design, skateboarding, and extensive world travel, he relocated to New York City in the late '70s. A lucky fellow, Norman scored the penthouse and gardens atop the iconic Chelsea Hotel, where he lived for 25 years. A career as a nightclub designer and operator blossomed, with work on many of the ground-breaking NY clubs of the '80s, where modern nightlife was born. This work expanded to other cities, including Tokyo, Munich, and Miami, while he continued his graphics career, designing movie posters, concert stages, and a wide variety of merchandise. In the early 90's he tried to escape to a resort he built in Belize, but four years, a marriage, and a hurricane later, he was happy to return to the bustle of Manhattan. There he opened the first modern Burlesque and performance clubs. His luck held out, as in 2004, he met the beautiful and talented Amelia Kallman. Together they operated and performed in a string of notorious speakeasies. When the Chelsea Hotel changed hands in 2007, they took their skills and ambitions to Shanghai. Together they opened the sensational nightclub, Chinatown, the country's first Neo-Vaudeville extravaganza. Their adventures are detailed in Amelia's award-winning memoir, Diary of a Shanghai Showgirl. Now residents in East London, they pursue their dreams and demons, Norman as a designer and artist, Amelia as a sought-after futurist, artist, and author. |
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ART
GRAPHICS
Starting as an air-brusher, with occasional employment by Hipgnosis on album covers, comic work for MAD UK, and myriad British poster and commercial projects, by the time he relocated to New York, he was ready for bigger things.
In 1982, after working on several independent magazines, he became overall Art Director for Marvel Comics, a lifelong passion. In '85, he opened his studios, Gosney Design, specialising in movie posters, campaigns, and artwork for nightclubs. In the following years, he branched out into merchandising for several clients, including the World Wrestling Federation, King Features Syndicate, Paul McCartney's band Wings, Prince, and several Manhattan restaurants, nightspots, and movie companies.
Norman continues to pursue graphic design in London, but now focuses on fine art. He has enjoyed several solo and group exhibitions with more to come.
In 1982, after working on several independent magazines, he became overall Art Director for Marvel Comics, a lifelong passion. In '85, he opened his studios, Gosney Design, specialising in movie posters, campaigns, and artwork for nightclubs. In the following years, he branched out into merchandising for several clients, including the World Wrestling Federation, King Features Syndicate, Paul McCartney's band Wings, Prince, and several Manhattan restaurants, nightspots, and movie companies.
Norman continues to pursue graphic design in London, but now focuses on fine art. He has enjoyed several solo and group exhibitions with more to come.
CLUB DESIGN
Starting in 1982, Norman worked on every aspect of design in New York's ground-breaking nightclubs. Beginning as a scenic painter, by '84 he was working as part of various design teams, and became a lead designer by '87. Clubs he worked on include Danceteria, Limelight, The Palladium, The Peppermint Lounge, Area, Nell's, The Tunnel, Quick, and Save the Robots. In this pre-cell phone era, few photos remain of the decor, mostly just the sensational crowds.
By '89, he was also operating nightclubs, and in the following few years, broke out into a wider market, designing several international night spots, including: Hell in Miami, Gold in Tokyo, and Peiser Einst in Munich. In '91, he opened his self-built resort, Lagoon, in Belize.
On his return to the fray of New York nightlife, he designed, owned, and operated a string of smaller, more intimate venues based loosely around Burlesque and Neo-Cabaret. He developed, and became known for, his technique, Victorianization, which transforms mundane or bland interiors into Gilded Age palaces. Highlights include: Dutch Weismann's, The Kit Kat Club, The Slipper Room, Show, The Triad, and The Blushing Diamond Speakeasy.
In 2007 Norman and his future wife, Amelia, relocated to Shanghai, where they designed, built and operated his magnum opus, CHINATOWN, converting a derelict Buddhist temple into the country's first such venue. Their adventures are detailed in Amelia's award-winning book, Diary of a Shanghai Showgirl.
Now based in London, Norman still designs nightclubs, interiors, events, and theatrical productions.
By '89, he was also operating nightclubs, and in the following few years, broke out into a wider market, designing several international night spots, including: Hell in Miami, Gold in Tokyo, and Peiser Einst in Munich. In '91, he opened his self-built resort, Lagoon, in Belize.
On his return to the fray of New York nightlife, he designed, owned, and operated a string of smaller, more intimate venues based loosely around Burlesque and Neo-Cabaret. He developed, and became known for, his technique, Victorianization, which transforms mundane or bland interiors into Gilded Age palaces. Highlights include: Dutch Weismann's, The Kit Kat Club, The Slipper Room, Show, The Triad, and The Blushing Diamond Speakeasy.
In 2007 Norman and his future wife, Amelia, relocated to Shanghai, where they designed, built and operated his magnum opus, CHINATOWN, converting a derelict Buddhist temple into the country's first such venue. Their adventures are detailed in Amelia's award-winning book, Diary of a Shanghai Showgirl.
Now based in London, Norman still designs nightclubs, interiors, events, and theatrical productions.
