FOTOGRAFISKA NEW YORK: TERRY O’NEILL STARS
If you think of the most iconic names in Hollywood, from music like that of David Bowie to models like Kate Moss, one thing they have in common is that, at one point or another, they likely appeared in front of Terry O’Neill’s camera. Set to a jazzy upbeat playlist “Terry O’Neill Stars” exhibit at the Fotografiska is a dazzling array of iconic portraits of never-before-seen shots, and the very first viewing of some photos in color.
Neill got his start in 1963 during a time when pop culture was on the rise. He had just begun working at The Daily Sketch, a British newspaper, when he was tasked to photograph some up-and-coming bands at the time, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. From there his career was born.
By the late 1960’s he developed personal relationships with many of the rising talents of the time and had already photographed Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Jean Shrimpton, Terrance Stamp, and Audrey Hepburn, all featured in the exhibit. The standout piece was the iconic photo of Brigitte Bardot on the set of Les Petroleuses. O’Neill photography is most notably in black and white, however this iconic photo was shown in full color for the first time.
By the 1970s, O’Neill was a well sought out freelancer and he began accompanying musicians and actors during their tours and on set. One musician he spent an extensive amount of time with was Frank Sinatra. The pair met in 1967 and O’Neill spent more than 30 years with him on various movie sets, outings, and settings. In a video at the exhibit highlighting just a few of his works, O’Neill states that this was one of the “greatest gifts” he received in his career. Many of his photos of Sinatra were featured in the exhibit.
Also featured was a room purely dedicated to all of the musicians O’Neill photographed. Portraits of Amy Winehouse, Dolly Parton, and Diana Ross were set against a brightly lit all black wall. A featured collection was his shots of David Bowie to promote his album “Diamond Dogs.” Incorporating a large dog, O’Neill shot him in a series of poses similar to the way a dog sits, later bringing about the infamous shot of Bowie alongside the dog.
Though O’Neill sadly passed away in 2019, he leaves behind an incredible body of work. With an expansive catalogue ranging from Elton John to Nelson Mandela, his ability to capture his subjects in a uniquely candid way speaks to not only his talent, but his ability to translate his personal relationships with them onto camera. Even in the most unconventional shots, there was still a beauty and comfort in all his work.
Images + Article by Melia Robinson, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Designer, PhotoBook Magazine
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