Gauntlet Gallery — Dennis Morris Print Index
Babylon By Van
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Babylon By Van is a 2018 archival pigment print at 18 x 24 inches in an edition of 36 on 290gsm Moab Fine Art Rag. According to Morris, the image is one of his own photographs of Bob Marley, tied to a personal encounter with the artist, making it a documentary work with firsthand origin.
Collector notes: The saved release record describes: Edition Size: 36. Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
Morris's own account grounds this as a picture he took of Marley, not an interpreted composition, which gives it strong authenticity. The edition of 36 keeps it genuinely limited, and the title's "Babylon" reference roots it in reggae's Rastafarian vocabulary. It later inspired the 2021 Babylon By Van II revisit.
Collector Perspective
An edition of 36 on 24 x 18 heavyweight rag places this in very scarce territory alongside the other 2018 Marley releases. Collectors may pair it with Babylon By Van II to trace the theme across editions. The photographer's stated personal connection to the image adds narrative value; confirm edition details on acquisition.
Historical Context
Morris's Bob Marley photography stems from genuine proximity to the artist in the 1970s. "Babylon" invokes the Rastafarian critique of oppressive systems central to reggae's message. Issued in 2018 as a giclée on Moab Fine Art Rag, the print became the basis for the smaller-format 2021 second edition.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned print
- Release date
- 2018
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Giclee Print; catalog dimensions 18 x 24 inches; Archival Pigment Print on 290gsm Moab Fine Art Rag Paper.
- Edition details
- The saved release record describes: Edition Size: 36.
- Signature and marks
- Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: This page treats Dennis Morris's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.
Meaning / interpretation: No per-work artist statement is recorded for this edition. Any thematic reading should be treated as interpretation of the imagery, not a documented statement of the artist's intent. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2018 and attributes the edition to 1xRUN.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to 1xRUN. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- Dennis Morris (photographer) — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Dennis Morris (Q5258763) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
Is this an original Morris photograph of Marley?
Yes, Morris describes it as one of the photos he took of Bob Marley, tied to a personal encounter.
How does it relate to Babylon By Van II?
This 2018 original preceded the 2021 II edition, which revisited the theme at a smaller size.
What is the edition size?
36 impressions on 290gsm Moab Fine Art Rag.
