in focus Galerie will remain closed until the opening of the next exhibition with platinum-palladium prints by the great Swiss master of photography René Groebli on August 29th. In the meantime Anja Maria and Burkhard Arnold continue their series “Magic of Photography” with photographs from the gallery’s holdings. Here is Greg Gorman.
It was thanks to Andy Warhol, among others, that Greg Gorman became one of the hottest celebrity photographers in the United States. For his magazine « Interview » – the world’s first lifestyle magazine – he shot more than 20 cover photos in the 1980s. Photos that carried Gorman’s style out into the world: this perfect synthesis of light and shadow, this earthy mix of man and myth.
There are few film and pop stars who have not been portrayed by Gorman in the course of their careers. Actors are used to taking poses, following directions. The exact opposite, however, is what photographer Gorman demands from them. Therefore, he often focuses on the person’s eyes and not on facial expressions or gestures. Gorman had almost all the great actors in front of the lens and made it onto magazine covers from « Vogue » to « Vanity Fair ». Gorman always tried to give the photos an enigmatic note and that certain something: « You can always hang a light over someone’s head and take a picture that looks like the person. But for me the most interesting pictures are that give the imagination scope. » Greg Gorman’s photographs from over four decades, with exceptionally prominent contemporaries, have become icons of the 20th century. Portraits of Johnny Depp, Al Pacino, Leonardo Di Caprio, Michael Jackson or Sophia Loren can be seen along with Gorman’s encounters with Nina Hagen, Elton John, Barbara Streisand, David Bowie, Antonio Banderas, Andy Warhol or Iman (photo above: Iman, David Bowie’s widow was one of the supermodels of the 80s, 1988, edition 25, 50 x 40 cm, silver gelatin, signed, stamped, dated and numbered on the reverse). Many of his photos have written media and cultural history.
Greg Gorman appeared in our gallery for the opening of his exhibition and, to the delight of our visitors, told many stories about the photographs on display in a very lively and vivid manner. Then we spent an unforgettable evening, with Greg serving a wine from his own winery.
Inquiries about Greg Gorman´s work or an appointment can be made by phone or email to [email protected].
Anja Maria and Burkhard Arnold
in focus Galerie – B. Arnold
Hauptstraße 114
50996 Köln
