Terry O’Neill: Every picture tells a story, a retrospecitve

  06.08.2020 Arts & Culture

From an intimate moment shared between Elizabeth Taylor and David Bowie to an easy laugh as Audrey Hepburn paused for a breath while taking a swim, British photographer Terry O’Neill had a unique talent for capturing the quiet, human moments that showed the true spirit of his subjects.

A t the age of 24, O’Neill began his career as one of the youngest photographers for the Daily Sketch with a chance snap of a new band recording at Abbey Road Studios. The next day, the paper sold out almost instantly as his image of The Beatles captured the hearts of millions. O’Neill went on to become one of the most celebrated photographers of the 20th century, capturing royalty, presidents, musicians and movie stars in his distinctive, snapshot style – putting his subjects at ease so much so that even Frank Sinatra welcomed him into his entourage with a casual wave as he strolled down the Miami Boardwalk.

This summer, Maddox Gallery in Gstaad, Switzerland, is proud to announce the first retrospective of his work since O’Neill passed away in November 2019, bringing together a collection of rare and iconic works from throughout O’Neill’s illustrious sixty-year career.

Terry O’Neill: Every Picture Tells A Story, A Retrospective will run from 30th July, what would have been O’Neill’s 82nd birthday, to the 29th August 2020, showcasing a series of captivating works including images of Elton John, Brigitte Bardot, and David Bowie in the distinctive snapshot aesthetic that O’Neill is famous for. Amongst these pieces will be some of O’Neill’s rarer work, some of which was only released last year, including a recently colourised image of Frank Sinatra on the Miami Boardwalk, and a selection of images of Roger Moore getting into character for his career-defining role as 007.

The exhibition includes many of O’Neill’s most iconic works – including an instantly recognisable shot of actress Faye Dunaway captured the morning after her 1977 Oscar win. O’Neill made a pact with her the night before that should she win, he would meet her at the pool of the Beverley Hills Hotel the next day – ready to capture the moment that the actress awoke to a dawning sense of things never being quite the same again.

Spanning over 60 years, no other photographer has embraced the span of fame, capturing the icons of our age. From the faces of film to fashion, movie stars to musicians and presidents to pop stars, Terry has become one of the world’s most collected photographers. His work now hangs in national art galleries and private collections around the world.

Curated by Jay Rutland, Maddox Gallery creative director, the exhibition was created specifically for the Gstaad space to honour O’Neill and many of his subjects’ lifelong connection to the region. As Rutland comments, “It’s particularly significant to be bringing this exhibition to Gstaad as Terry and many of the celebrities he photographed frequented the alpine ski resort – we felt it was the perfect gallery to bring his first retrospective to”.

In the first retrospective show since his death, the exhibition includes a portfolio of witty and strikingly original photographs from the famous photographer.

Terry O’Neill: Every Picture Tells
A Story, A Retrospective runs from
30 July to 29 August 2020 at Maddox
Gallery Gstaad and online at https://maddoxgallery.com


Image Title

1/10

Would you like to read more?

Yes. I am a subscriber

Don't have an account yet? Register now from here

Yes. I need a subscription.

Subscription offers