edward colver | photography

Born June 17, 1949, in Pomona CA., Edward Curtiss Colver (a third-generation Southern Californian) was named after his twelve-times removed great-grandfather, who arrived in the U.S. from Cornwall England in 1635. Edward's father, Charles, was a forest ranger for 43 years in charge of a 17,000 acre experimental forest. Upon his retirement, Charles was presented with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Award by President George H. W. Bush at the White House.

Edward is essentially a self taught artist; his brief formal training occurred during night classes at UCLA, where he studied beginning photography with Eileen Cowin. Largely influenced by Dada and Surrealism, Edward was most impressed in his early years by the art of Southern Californian native Edward Kienholz. In the late 1960's, Edward's perspective on life and art was changed by his exposure to composers such as Edgar Varese, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Krzysztof Penderecki, and John Cage.

Three months after he began taking photographs, Edward had his first photo published: an image of artist Johanna Went, featured in Bam magazine. Since then he has shot for dozens of record labels including EMI, Capitol, and Geffen. His photographs have been featured on more than 250 album covers and include some of the most recognizable and iconic covers of the late 20th century.

At the age of 18, Edward began collecting pottery, art, and furniture in the Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau styles - a passion that continues to this day. In addition, his collection of vinyl records numbers in the high thousands.

Colver has not watched TV since 1979. He currently lives in a 1911 Craftsman House in Los Angeles with his wife Lani.

blight at the end of the funnel © 2006 edward colver