Françoise Kirkland, wife of legendary photographer Douglas Kirkland, travels to Sydney this April to launch her new book ROMANCE with a special event at Art+ Gallery.
The visit coincides with a two-week exhibition (22nd April – 6th May) of legendary photographer Douglas Kirkland’s work, offering a rare opportunity for Australian audiences to experience his photography alongside the release of this deeply personal publication.
Edited by Françoise Kirkland and Sarah Menahem, ROMANCE is both a tribute and a meditation on love in all its forms. Created in the wake of Douglas Kirkland’s death, the book emerged from a moment of profound reflection; an attempt to reconnect with the emotional language of photography that defined his life and career.
“For Douglas, the consummate romancer, and for all the lovers out there,” writes Françoise, invoking the French phrase: “Quand on aime, on a toujours vingt ans”—when one loves, one is forever twenty.
Bringing together images that speak to intimacy, desire and human connection, ROMANCE reflects Kirkland’s unique ability to capture both iconic and deeply personal moments. From his celebrated portraits of cultural icons including Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot and Coco Chanel, to quieter, anonymous expressions of affection, his work transcends time, place and generation.
“Photography was Douglas’ first love,” says Françoise. “He was a dreamer who saw the world better through his camera.”
With an introduction by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, more than a retrospective, ROMANCE is a love letter to Douglas, to creativity, and to the enduring, often contradictory nature of love itself. It explores romance as something instinctive and powerful: a force that is at once emotional, intellectual and deeply human.
The Australian launch will see Françoise Kirkland in Sydney for an intimate series of events, culminating in a public book launch and signing, in conversation with Françoise Kirkland 22 April at Art+ Gallery. The event will open a two-week exhibition of Douglas Kirkland’s photography.
Art+ Gallery
81 Macleay St.
Potts Point NSW 2011, Australia
https://artplusgallery.co/
About the Book
ROMANCE, published by Damiani Books is a curated collection of photographs exploring love, desire, intimacy and connection. Through both celebrated and unseen works, the book captures Douglas Kirkland’s enduring fascination with human relationships and the emotional power of the image.
Pricing: $150 AUD retail price for signed copies at Art+
Availability: Available to purchase at Art+ Gallery during the exhibition and via leading booksellers nationwide.
About the Author
Françoise Kirkland was born and raised in Paris and educated at the Sorbonne. She met Douglas Kirkland on the set of How to Steal a Million, beginning a lifelong personal and creative partnership.
She later moved to New York, becoming a trusted collaborator within the photography world. Today, she lives in the Hollywood Hills and oversees the Douglas Kirkland archive and legacy in partnership with Morrison Hotel Gallery.
About the Artist
Douglas Kirkland (1934–2022) was one of the most influential photographers of his generation, with a career spanning more than 60 years across fashion, photojournalism and portraiture. A former photographer for Look and Life magazines, he captured some of the most enduring images of the 20th century. His work is held in major international collections including the Smithsonian and the National Portrait Gallery, London, and he received numerous honours, including the Lucie Award for Outstanding Achievement.
