From Fur Patrol to celebrity photoshoots

Steve Wells chose Pete Doherty as one of a group of people eating bizarre objects. Photo / Janna Dixon

Steve Wells made his name as guitarist for chart-topping Kiwi band Fur Patrol.

But he has given away music, sold his guitars and made an international career as a photographer - documenting one of the most controversial musicians of them all.

Former Libertines and Baby Shambles lead singer Pete Doherty, famed for his drug abuse as much as for his volatile musical genius, is the headlined model in Wells' homecoming exhibition.

And Doherty is depicted - somewhat appropriately - eating hypodermic syringes.

Apart from cityscapes and self-portraits, a series of photos called  Table (French for "dinner's ready") showcases people eating bizarre objects related to their jobs, hobbies or foibles. The France-based photographer approached Doherty at a Paris cafe one day.

"I'd seen him a couple of times," Wells said. "He was having a drink at 11am."

When Wells pitched the photoshoot idea, Doherty proposed eating tinfoil - but later settled on syringes.

Wells now lives in Paris after making a clean break from music in 2004. "I sold everything," he said. "I just got over it really and I decided I wanted to do other things instead."

Seven years on, Wells says his craft has its challenges. "You're not bouncing ideas off other people. You're on your own."

Wells' work is on show this week at the Letham Gallery in Auckland.