David LaChapelle's First Solo Exhibit Celebrates 50 Years of Celebrity
David LaChapelle's new NYC exhibition, titled Make Believe, features portraits of Andy Warhol, David Bowie, Lizzo, Madonna, Kim Kardashian, and more.
David LaChapelle is taking over New York’s Fotografiska Museum in his first solo exhibition in the city. Spanning six floors, Make Believe encompasses five decades and over 150 of the artist’s most imaginative portraits. Featuring staples of visual and pop culture, the exhibit features rare and never before seen images. From the last ever portrait of Andy Warhol (1986) to vibrant and eccentric images of today’s pop artists like Lizzo and Doja Cat, the expansive gallery is guaranteed to captivate.
Make Believe focuses on five overarching themes: religion, environment, gender identity, societal images of beauty, and explorations around the construct of celebrity. Beginning with culture and iconography, LaChapelle looked to his Christian faith to help him through his struggles. He drew heavily from those in the community affected by the AIDS epidemic at the time, creating ethereal and bold images of them depicted as saints, martyrs, angels, or contemporary figures of Jesus. Some of the religious-oriented portraits that are featured are "Fly on My Sweet Angel Fly on to the Sky," "Kim Kardashian: Abiding Lamentation," and "
“I feel the responsibility to bring light into the world and make imagery that can elevate and serve humanity, even when sometimes employing drama and humanity,” said LaChapelle in the press release, “Whether secular or religious, my images are part of the same experience and evolving perspective.”
Also featured in the exhibit are LaChapelle’s electrifying portraits of pop icons and artists. Making his mark in the world of pop culture, LaChapelle has been the artist behind many popular and beloved album covers and music videos. The exhibit includes intimate and personal portraits of Tupac and Britney Spears along with portraits of Madonna, David Bowie, Naomi Campbell, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolie, and more. Make Believe also includes album covers of Spears, Travis Scott, and Elton John.
LaChapelle’s perspective on portraiture and his creative exploration of celebrities and iconography is perfectly laid out in the Fotografiska Museum. Be sure to check out this immersive exhibit, which opens today and will remain on display until January 9, 2023.
