Images of teen life

Larry Clark is the controversial filmmaker who made Kids, the 1995 film that portrayed a group of mumbling, under-age teens in New York who drank, partied, took drugs and had sex. Critics were especially animated by the lingering shots of heavy petting.

If that wasn't enough to rouse outrage or at least discomfort among even the most liberal of critics, then his 2007 short film on sex, for an erotic compilation called Destricted, included Clark auditioning teenage boys who wanted to perform in a porn movie. Filthy, funny and utterly engaging, it's certainly a notch above most films in the genre.

This exhibition features a series of Clark's photographs that document the physical transformation, over a three-year period, of a young Latino boy living in South Central LA.

Though this time the only rude bits are mooning butts as he messes about with friends. You see the same boy through various hairstyles and a range of moody and winsome expressions. The camera obviously loves him and we see his growing confidence as he learns to love it back.

Knowing Clark's films, it could all be construed as being a bit dubious but, like the films, the photographs manage to capture something utterly true about being a teenager.

Until Mar 14, Simon Lee Gallery, 12 Berkeley Street W1, Mon to Fri 9.30am to 6pm, Sat 11am to 4pm, free. Tel: 020 7491 0100. www.simonleegallery.com Tube: Green Park

Larry Clark: Los Angeles 2003-2006
Simon Lee Gallery
Berkeley Street, W1J 8DT