Multimedia artist Philip Lawson will open a special showing of his exceptional photographs at Union Street’s Descend Salon with a reception on Aug. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. Rock-a-billy musical artist Johnny Fire will perform from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Lawson’s photographs have been described as “edgy,” “very Helmut Newton, but in color” and “sexy, racy, relative, and reactive.” Lawson graduated with an emphasis on fine arts from Notre Dame de Namur University. His eclectic approach to making art has included scoring films, producing music videos, and working in a variety of other media from painting to sculpture to ceramics, and his photography, which will be featured at Descend Salon through Oct. 10.

“As a conceptual artist, my interests were to push the boundaries of photography into the realm of the short story,” Lawson said. “They are cinematic representations of an atmosphere, a place or a subject. The series of photos that I will be displaying at Descend are designed to represent the subject in cells as in a film, or in a paragraph as in a short story. They represent the many layers of understanding, dimensions of time and space that makes up the world, as we perceive it.” Amelia Hyde Art & Design represents Lawson.

Robert Atkinson, owner of Descend Salon, is ecstatic to have Lawson’s photographs on display. “We respect Philip’s work and we’re thrilled to be associated with such a brilliant photographer. We’re always searching for the best and the brightest artists in this area that is lush with talent, and we’ve undoubtedly discovered a gem with Lawson,” Atkinson said.

Philip Lawson photographic display: Descend Salon,2185A Union Street (near Fillmore), Aug. 9–Oct. 10, Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–7:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m., 415-440-6608, www.descendsalon.com