Legendary and iconic British photographer, Terry O’Neill CBE, has sadly passed away. As a mark of respect to the renowned photographer, his last exhibition, a provocative collaboration with artist Bran Symondson, titled ‘Hollywood Reloaded’, has been extended until 27 November at HOFA’s gallery on Maddox Street, London.
Born in 1938, Terry O’Neill CBE received critical acclaim for his iconic photographs of Hollywood stars and celebrities in the 1960s and ‘70s, widely recognised as definitive of the era. His portraits of stars including Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, David Bowie and Audrey Hepburn are some of the most memorable from the time. In his 60-year career, Terry O’Neill’s amazing repertoire also included photographs of political icons like Winston Churchill, HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Nelson Mandela. In October 2019, Terry was awarded a CBE by the Queen in recognition of his ‘Services to Photography’. He has also been honoured by the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain.
The ‘Hollywood Reloaded’ recently launched at Annabel’s, London to rave reviews. The exhibition is a bold and brash reinvention of Terry O’Neill’s portraits of Hollywood icons posing with guns. Portraits of stars like Michael Caine, Brigitte Bardot and Roger Moore, each with sleek firearm in hand, are pockmarked by bullets fired by ex-Special Forces turned artist and reportage photographer, Bran Symondson, using the same gun as in each portrait. Guns and the violence they symbolise become subjects, displacing Hollywood stars and the glorified ethos they mediate as well as create.
On hearing the news Bran Symondson said about O’Neill: “He was a photography icon and legend, so being given the chance to work with him, especially on his last exhibition, will remain my life’s biggest honour! My only wish is that I could have met him sooner; he had so much to give.”
‘Hollywood Re-loaded’ will be extended to the 27 November 2019 HOFA Gallery on Maddox Street, London and is open for all to enjoy Terry O’Neill’s iconic work.
Photographs: Terry O’Neill / Iconic Images
