112 Don Gaspar, is pleased to announce a major exhibition of photographs by Sid Avery, concurrent with the publication of the new book of the same title. Sid Avery: The Art of the Hollywood Snapshot opens with a public reception on Friday, February 1, from 5 - 7 PM. The exhibition will continue through March 24.
James Dean on the set of Rebel Without a Cause; Audrey Hepburn on her bike with her pet dog in tow; Marlon Brando taking out the garbage; Rock Hudson emerging from the shower; Elizabeth Taylor soaking up the sun. These are just a few of the myriad of iconic images for which Sid Avery is responsible.
The renowned photographer was one of the greatest names working in Hollywood from the 1940s to 1960s and became known for his candid portraits of the stars. He made history as the only photographer to shoot both the original 1960 cast of Ocean’s Eleven and the 2001 remake, recreating his iconic group shot around the pool table. Avery was also responsible for establishing the Motion Picture and Television Photo Archive. This exhibition been produced in association with the photographer's son, Ron, with full access granted to the depths of the archive and includes many rare prints signed by Sid Avery. This complete anthology of Avery’s work includes outtakes and contact sheets, with over half of the material never-before-seen, and is presented concurrent with the publication of a sumptuous new book that is a long overdue tribute to his prolific talent.
Sid Avery was one of the biggest names in Hollywood portraiture in the 1950s and 1960s. Born in 1918 in Akron, Ohio, Avery was introduced to photography when he was
seven years old. By the time he was twenty, Avery had begun to photograph celebrities in nightclubs for fan magazines and in 1939 opened his own studio for portraiture and publicity photographs. From 1941 to 1945, Avery was assigned to Pictorial Service in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in London and Paris. In London, he supervised the Army’s official photographic history of the war.
In 1946, Avery re-established his studio in Hollywood where he obtained celebrity portrait assignments from Life and the Saturday Evening Post. He also became the photography editor of Photoplay, the distinguished movie magazine of the time. In 1947, while continuing to contribute to numerous magazines, Avery and Associates was formed to photograph for commercial accounts. Avery directed television commercials and developed several new and innovative special effects. In 1985, Avery retired from directing and producing television commercials to begin assembling the Motion Picture and Television Photographic Archive. This foundation’s purpose was to preserve, document and exhibit the work of notable photographers. It now has over a million historic Hollywood images on file and is recognized as one of greatest archives of Hollywood imagery.
Sid Avery taught at UCLA and lectured at several other prestigious institutions and museums around the world. He passed away in 2002. Today, Sid Avery’s photographs are included in numerous museums and private collections.
Monroe Gallery of Photography was founded by Sidney S. Monroe and Michelle A. Monroe. Building on more than four decades of collective experience, the gallery specializes in classic black & white photography with an emphasis on humanist and photojournalist imagery. The gallery also represents a select group of contemporary and emerging photographers and exhibits nationally at prestigious Photography Fairs. Monroe Gallery was the recipient of the 2010 Alfred Eisenstaedt Award for Excellence in Photojournalism.
Gallery hours are 10 to 6 Monday through Saturday, 11 to 5 Sunday. Admission is free. For further information, please call: 505.992.0800; E-mail: info@monroegallery.com. Review copies of the new book, press images, and interviews with the photographer's son Ron Avery are available upon request.
www.monroegallery.com